Ureaplasma urealyticum risk factors

Risk factors that have been identified for Ureaplasma colonization/infection include factors such as heavy urogenital colonization in adults, multiple sexual partners, immunosuppression, and prematurity in neonates.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Risk factors for Ureaplasma infection in infants include the following:^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

Neonatal factors

• Prematurity
• Low birth weight
• Perinatal asphyxia (Apgar score less than 6 at 5min)
• Mechanical ventilation of the infant
• Tracheal colonization of the infant by Ureaplasma species: The risk of developing moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia is increased by 7-9 folds in mechanically ventilated infants with Ureaplasma positive tracheal aspirate compared to mechanically ventilated infants with Ureaplasma positive nasopharyngeal sample.
• Congenital anomalies such as meningomyelocele

Maternal factors

• Prolonged or preterm rupture of membranes
• Chorioamnionitis
• Heavy vaginal colonization by Ureaplasma species
• Low socioeconomic status

Risk factors for Ureaplasma colonization/infection in adult men and women:^{[7][8][9][10][11][12]}

• Multiple sexual partners
• Younger age
• Urogenital colonization/infection with other microorganisms
• Low socioeconomic status
• Immunosuppresion such as congenital immunodeficiency disorders like hypogammaglobulinemia.

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