Screening recommendations for chlamydia and gonorrhea in pregnancy, 2023

An update from the National Advisory Committee on Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (NAC-STBBI)

Screen all asymptomatic pregnant women/pregnant individuals (PWIP) for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG)

Screen during pregnancy

During the first trimester or at the first antenatal visit AND again in the third trimester^{Footnote *}

Screen at the time of labour

In any of the following situations^{Footnote *}:

• No prenatal screening has occurred (no valid results available at the time of labour)
• Third trimester screening has not occurred
• A positive test result was obtained for CT or NG during pregnancy without appropriate follow-up, including treatment and a test-of-cure

CT and NG cases are increasing

There was a 33% increase in overall chlamydia rates from 2010 to 2019. There was a 182% increase in overall gonorrhea rates from 2010 to 2019. Untreated CT and NG in pregnancy can cause adverse pregnancy outcomes (e.g., pre-term birth) and serious illness in neonates (e.g., ophthalmia neonatorum, neonatal pneumonia)

Routine screening can help identify CT and NG to protect the health of PWPI and their neonates.

For more information, visit the following webpage: PHAC’s STBBI Guides for Health Professionals.

Source

National Advisory Committee on Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections. Recommendations on Screening for Neisseria Gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia Trachomatis in Pregnancy [Internet]. Public Health Agency of Canada; 2023 [cited 2023 Jul 6]. Pregnancy; 2023 [cited 2023 Aug 30]. Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/infectious-diseases/sexual-health-sexually-transmitted-infections/canadian-guidelines/national-advisory-committee-stbbi/statements/recommendations-screening-chlamydia-trachomatis-neisseria-gonorrhoeae-pregnancy.html