Private MD News

Few women receive STD tests during pregnancy

Category: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Too few women receive STD testing during pregnancy, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The findings suggest that many women may be at risk for pregnancy complications.

Researchers reviewed lab test results from about 1.3 million pregnant women. The results showed that only 59 percent were tested for chlamydia and 57 percent were tested for gonorrhea. Rates of follow up testing and treatment were low among those who initially tested positive for an infection.

The findings describe a potentially dangerous situation for women and their babies. Certain STDs can jeopardize the health of the mother, increasing the risk of complications during the pregnancy. Additionally, it may be possible for women to pass on infections to their babies during delivery.

Given the high risks associated with infections during pregnancy, encouraging more doctors to offer STD testing to their patients could play an important role in protecting the health of mothers and their babies. This may be one of the most overlooked areas of pregnancy health.