Could routine STI screening during pregnancy prevent preterm births?
NCT ID NCT04446611
First seen Jul 17, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026
Summary
This study compares different ways of screening pregnant women for three common sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomonas) to see if treating these infections can reduce the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight. Over 2,200 pregnant women in South Africa are randomly assigned to one of three groups: screening at the first prenatal visit with a follow-up test to confirm cure, screening at the first visit plus a repeat test later in pregnancy, or standard care (treating symptoms only). The study also looks at cost-effectiveness and how the vaginal microbiome may affect treatment success.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- diagnostic screening and treatment for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this screening strategy could reduce preterm births and low birth weight in regions with high STI rates, improving newborn health and guiding public health policy.
- What could go wrong
- This is a pragmatic trial comparing screening strategies, not a new drug; results may vary by setting and may not show a clear benefit over standard care.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Buffalo City Metro
East London, Eastern Cape, 5217, South Africa
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