[Longitudinal studies into alterations of vaginal flora during pregnancy on the basis of modern perinatal medicine (author's transl)].

Assessment of the uterine cervix score is a valuable method for early diagnosis of imminent premature birth, particularly in the context of high-risk pregnancy. Cervical insufficiency was recorded from 14 per cent of a high-risk group of patients. Longitudinal studies covered 110 probands with high-risk pregnancy and repeated vaginal examinations and 45 pregnant women with no vaginal examinations. No significant difference was found to exist between the two groups regarding percentual occurrence of potentially pathogenic aerobic germs, up to the 38th week of pregnancy. Highly significant decline in germ incidence was longitudinally recordable from both groups during the period of amnioscopy. Exposure to potentially pathogenic germs was not aggravated by repeated vaginal checks during pregnancy. Additional conclusions are drawn for practice.