A review on effect and treatment of perinatal Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization/infection in neonates.

Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) is the most frequently detected in the maternal genitalia, is mainly transmitted through vertical transmission at birth to neonates, with its complex etiology and adverse effects on neonatal health. While its etiologic significance in many aspects of neonatal diseases remains unknown, recent evidence indicates that UU is a cause of low birth weight, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, neonatal meningitis, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, and abnormal blood cell counts, and is closely related to long-term prognosis in newborns. However, the most critical need is additional information concerning indications for treatment as well as the efficacy. This article reviews recent research progress in the effect and treatment of perinatal UU colonization/infection in neonates in order to provide evidence for the treatment of UU colonization/infection in neonates.