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Topical treatment for vaginal candidiasis (thrush) in pregnancyYoung G, Jewell D
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SummaryTopical treatment for vaginal candidiasis (thrush) in pregnancyImidazoles are best but pregnant women may need longer (7 not 4 day) courses. Thrush is a common vaginal infection in pregnancy causing itching and soreness. There is no evidence that this yeast infection harms the baby. Antifungal creams are effective. Imidazoles (such as clotrimazole) are more effective than older treatments such as nystatin and hydrargaphen. Longer courses (7 days) cured more than 90% of women whereas standard (4 day) courses only cured about half the cases.
This is a Cochrane review abstract and plain language summary, prepared and maintained by The Cochrane Collaboration, currently published in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009 Issue 4, Copyright © 2009 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.. The full text of the review is available in The Cochrane Library (ISSN 1464-780X).
This version first published online:
April 22. 1996 AbstractBackgroundVaginal candidiasis (moniliasis or thrush) is a common and frequently distressing infection for many women. It is even more common in pregnancy. There is no evidence that thrush in pregnancy is harmful to the baby. ObjectivesThe objective of this review was to assess the effects of different methods of treating vaginal candidiasis in pregnancy. Search strategyWe searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group Trials Register. In addition, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (CENTRAL/CCTR) was searched. Date of last search: March 2001. Selection criteriaRandomised trials of any treatment for vaginal candidiasis in pregnancy. Data collection and analysisTwo reviewers assessed trial quality and extracted data. Main resultsTen trials were included. Based on five trials, imidazole drugs were more effective than nystatin when treating vaginal candidiasis in pregnancy (odds ratio 0.21, 95% confidence interval 0.16 to 0.29). In turn, Nystatin was as effective as hydrargaphen in one trial (odds ratio 0.29, 95% confidence interval 0.05-1.84). A trial of clotrimazole was more effective than placebo (odds ratio 0.14, 95% confidence interval 0.06 to 0.31). Single dose treatment was no more or less effective than three or four days treatment. However, two trials involving 81 women, showed that treatment lasting for four days was less effective than treatment for seven days (odds ratio 11.7, 95% confidence interval 4.21 to 29.15). Based on two trials, treatment for seven days was no more or less effective than treatment for 14 days (odds ratio 0.41, 95% confidence interval 0.16 to 1.05). Terconazole was as effective as clotrimazole (odds ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 0.28- 7.10). Authors' conclusionsTopical imidazole appears to be more effective than nystatin for treating symptomatic vaginal candidiasis in pregnancy. Treatments for seven days may be necessary in pregnancy rather than the shorter courses more commonly used in non-pregnant women. |