Evidence
This page contains a snapshot of featured content which highlights evidence addressing key clinical questions including areas of uncertainty. Please see the main topic reference list for details of all sources underpinning this topic.
BMJ Best Practice evidence tables
Evidence tables provide easily navigated layers of evidence in the context of specific clinical questions, using GRADE and a BMJ Best Practice Effectiveness rating. Follow the links at the bottom of the table, which go to the related evidence score in the main topic text, providing additional context for the clinical question. Find out more about our evidence tables.
This table is a summary of the analysis reported in a Cochrane Clinical Answer that focuses on the above important clinical question.
Confidence in the evidence is moderate or low to moderate where GRADE has been performed and the intervention may be more effective/beneficial than the comparison for key outcomes.
Population: Pregnant women presenting for routine prenatal care (with no signs of lower genital tract infection)
Intervention: Lower genital tract infection screening and treatment
Comparison: No screening
| Outcome | Effectiveness (BMJ rating)? | Confidence in evidence (GRADE)? |
|---|---|---|
Preterm birth <37 weeks | Favours intervention | Moderate |
Very low birthweight (≤1500 g) | Favours intervention | Moderate |
Low birthweight (≤2500 g) | Favours intervention | Moderate |
Adverse effects | See note ᵃ | See note ᵃ |
Neonatal morbidity; duration of admission to neonatal intensive care unit or hospital; maternal, perinatal, or neonatal mortality; women's satisfaction | See note ᵇ | See note ᵇ |
Note ᵃ The Cochrane systematic review underlying the Cochrane Clinical Answer found one large RCT (N=4155) which met the inclusion criteria. It reported no adverse effects. ᵇ The Cochrane reviewers did not find any studies that reported these outcomes of interest.
This evidence table is related to the following section/s:
Cochrane Clinical Answers
Cochrane Clinical Answers (CCAs) provide a readable, digestible, clinically focused entry point to rigorous research from Cochrane systematic reviews. They are designed to be actionable and to inform decision making at the point of care and have been added to relevant sections of the main Best Practice text.
- Do antenatal screening and treatment programs for lower genital tract infection help to prevent preterm delivery?
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer