Initial and repeated screening for gonorrhea during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND AND GOAL: Late pregnancy rescreening is advised for at-risk patients, but data supporting this recommendation are lacking. The intent of this study was to determine the value of a late-pregnancy test for gonorrhea after a negative initial test at the beginning of prenatal care.

STUDY

DESIGN

A retrospective chart review of clinic records over a 29-month period identified patients with a positive DNA direct assay for gonorrhea either initially or at 34 weeks.

RESULTS

Of 751 women, 38 (5.1%) had gonorrhea diagnosed at their first testing; 19 women (2.5%) were positive only at their second screening. For one patient, both tests were positive.

CONCLUSION

Repeating screening for gonorrhea at 34 weeks in a high-prevalence population is warranted.