Prevalence of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Pregnancy

Abstract

*Khushbu Yadav1 and Satyam Prakash2

Transmission of Candida infections can occur from the vagina of the infected mother to the newborn, giving rise to congenital Candida infection. Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an important cause of morbidity in pregnant women. It has been related to emotional stress and suppression of immune system which steps up the risk of Candida species overgrowth and become pathogenic which can cause abortion, Candida chorioamnionitis and subsequent preterm delivery. Therefore, the present study was focused to determine the contributory agent of VVC and to determine its prevalence among pregnant women. A cross-sectional descriptive study comprised of 157 pregnant women of reproductive age group was selected. Two high vaginal sterile cotton swabs were collected from the pregnant women and were immediately brought to the laboratory. Culture media were prepared as instructed by the manufacturer company (Hi-media) and processed according to standard methods. The prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis was found to be 35%. The highest number of VVC was found within the age group of 21-25 years with 40.44%. C. albicans was found to be predominant organism to cause candidiasis. Most of the respondents had suffered from candidiasis in 2nd trimester of gestation period of 55% and those who had symptoms of VVC. Most of the respondents had illiterate and unemployed of high positive cases with 35.95% and 44.94% which was found to be statistically significant (p= 0.001) and insignificant (p= 0.328) respectively. The prevalence of vulvovaginal candidiasis in the pregnant women was in increasing trend. Therefore, routine medical examination, adequate ante-natal services and appropriate treatment of the infected women should be recommended which can prevent the complications associated with VVC.