RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The most serious outcome of term, premature rupture of membrane and chorioamnionitis is often associated with adverse maternal and infant outcomes related to infection. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV) at 37-42 gestational weeks and its relationship to premature rupture of membranes. METHOD: During an analytical descriptive prospective study, 425 pregnant women with a gestational age of 37-42 weeks were studied for prevalence of BV. Then, 304 women on the basis of having BV or not were followed up until 48 h after delivery for premature rupture of membranes. RESULT: The rate of BV in this population was 30.5%. No significant association was found between BV and premature rupture of membranes (odds ratio 1.6, 95% CI 0.9-2.8). CONCLUSION: BV is a common vaginitis in term pregnancy, but we could not find any relationship between BV and premature rupture of membranes at term.