To review research progress on risk factors and clinical management of Ureaplasma spp. infection in preterm infants, aiming to optimize clinical identification strategies and reduce adverse outcomes, including specific management approaches.
Key Findings:
Ureaplasma spp. infection is prevalent in preterm infants, particularly those with lower gestational ages, with a positivity rate of 65% in infants born before 26 weeks.
Maternal vaginal colonization is a strong predictor of Ureaplasma spp. infection in preterm infants, with an adjusted odds ratio of 7.8.
High bacterial load in mothers correlates with increased incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in infants, with significant differences in outcomes based on colonization levels.
Placental colonization of Ureaplasma spp. is associated with fetal inflammatory responses and adverse neonatal outcomes, necessitating early intervention.
Interpretation:
Ureaplasma spp. infections pose significant risks to preterm infants, necessitating early identification and targeted interventions, such as maternal screening and timely antibiotic therapy, to improve clinical outcomes.
Limitations:
Detection techniques for Ureaplasma spp. are technically challenging and have limited sensitivity, which can delay diagnosis and treatment.
Clinical manifestations of infection are diverse and non-specific, complicating diagnosis and potentially leading to mismanagement.
Conclusion:
Enhanced clinical monitoring and improved intervention strategies, such as developing risk prediction models and standardized screening protocols, are essential to mitigate the risks associated with Ureaplasma spp. infections in preterm infants.
The expert panel outlines surveillance, device management, and diagnostic stewardship strategies to address both catheter-associated and non–catheter-associated infections.
