Vaginal infection: prophylaxis and perinatal outcome--a review of the literature.

Vaginal discharge is the symptom that most often prompts a woman to consult a physician in order to determine the presence of an infection. However, much vaginal infection, particularly bacterial vaginosis, is nearly asymptomatic. In all cases, diagnosis is based on evaluation of the vaginal ecosystem and demonstration of the presence of the suspected microorganism. Besides bacteria, fungi (Candida) and protozoans (Trichomonas) are very common pathogens and produce characteristic findings. When present during pregnancy, these infections have been linked to low birth weight and obstetric disorders. There is a great need for a full understanding of the connection between what appears to be "normal" discharge in pregnancy and important adverse perinatal outcomes.