COMPARISON OF BLOOD LEVELS OF ANTICHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS ANTIBODIES AMONG MOTHERS AND THEIR NEWBORN BABIES FOLLOWING NORMAL DELIVERIES VERSUS MOTHERS AND NEWBORN BABIES FOLLOWING CESAREAN SECTION

Abstract

Background: A number of studies have demonstrated that chlamydia trachomatis plays a prominent role in disorders of the human reproductive system.Objective: This study was carried out to determine antibody levels of Chlamydia trachomatis among mothers with either normal deliveries or had cesarean section and their newborn babies, and the effect of various epidemiological, obstetric, and medical factors on antibody levels among the studied groups.Method: Serum specimens from 166 women with normal deliveries and their babies (group one) and 32 women with cesarean section and their babies (group two), were screened for C. Trachomatis antibodies by Micro ELISA method.Result: C. Trachomatis infection rate was 24% and 20.5% among women and babies in-group one, while it was 40.6%and 38.1% in-group two. History of bleeding (significant negative correlation), discharge and urinary tract Infection (significant negative correlation) during pregnancy, weight of newborn, had higher rate among group two, while fever and anemia during pregnancy, number of previous abortions were higher among women in group one.Conclusion: Chlamydia trachomatis infection rate was higher among women and their babies following cesarean section than among those with normal delivery. Keyword: chlamydia trachomatis antibodies in women after delivery