Detection of Candida spp. in the vagina of a cohort of nulliparous pregnant women by culture and molecular methods: Is there an association between maternal vaginal and infant oral colonisation?
This study provides valuable data on asymptomatic colonisation rates of Candida spp. within an asymptomatic population of women late in pregnancy. The utilisation of molecular methods improved the rate of detection and provided a more accurate means for identification of non-albicans Candida spp. The low mother/infant colonisation rate suggests that non-maternal sources are likely involved in determining infant oral colonisation status.
In the United States, women with unwanted pregnancies were less likely either to initiate or to continue breastfeeding than women with intended pregnancies. A strong inverse association between unwanted pregnancies and breastfeeding was observed only for white women. Education for women with unintended pregnancies may improve breastfeeding rates and subsequently, the health of women and infants.