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Incidence of invasive Ureaplasma in VLBW infants: relationship to severe intraventricular hemorrhage

Journal of Perinatology volume 28, pages 759–765 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

As Ureaplasmas may be pathogens in preterm infants, this study was conducted to determine the incidence of invasive disease with Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum and the relationship with adverse outcomes in a prospective cohort of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

Study Design:

DNA was extracted from the cord or venous blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples obtained from 313 VLBW infants. PCR was performed using primers for the mba gene to detect all 14 serovars and then repeated for all positive samples using species-specific primers.

Result:

Ureaplasma species were detected in serum and/or CSF samples from 74 of 313 (23.6%) infants. U. parvum was the predominant species (70%). Presence of Ureaplasma was significantly associated with elevated interleukin-1β in cord blood (odds ratio (OR) 2.6, 1.05 to 6.45, P=0.039). Ureaplasma serum-positive infants had a 2.3-fold increased risk of intraventicular hemorrhage ⩾grade 3 (OR 2.50; 1.06 to 5.89, P=0.036).

Conclusion:

Invasive Ureaplasma occurs commonly in VLBW infants and may increase the risk for severe intraventricular hemorrhage.

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Acknowledgements

The University of Maryland Special Research Initiative Support Program and National Institute of Health Grant R01 HL71113 (RMV) supported this work.

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Author notes

  1. A Rodriguez

    Present address: 4Current address: Dr A Rodriguez, Pediatrix Medical Group, Boca Raton Community Hospital, 800 Meadows Rd, Boca Raton, Fl 33486, USA. E-mail: andres2home@aol.com,

  2. K D Fairchild

    Present address: 5Current address: KD Fairchild, Virginia Health System, University of Virginia, Department of Pediatrics, Box 800386, Hospital Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA. E-mail: kdf2n@virginia.edu,

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    R M Viscardi, N Hashmi, A Rodriguez & K D Fairchild

  2. Department of Radiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    G W Gross

  3. Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    C-Cj Sun

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  1. R M Viscardi
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  2. N Hashmi
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  5. A Rodriguez
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  6. K D Fairchild
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Correspondence to R M Viscardi.

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Viscardi, R., Hashmi, N., Gross, G. et al. Incidence of invasive Ureaplasma in VLBW infants: relationship to severe intraventricular hemorrhage. J Perinatol 28, 759–765 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2008.98

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