Discussion:
Normal vs pathological vaginal
discharge
Vaginal discharge is common during pregnancy and it is important to
differentiate between natural (physiological) discharge and pathological
discharge. In this study, we characterised normal (physiological) and
pathological vaginal discharge and identified risk factors and adverse
maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with pathological vaginal
discharge. We found normal pathological vaginal discharge in three and
seven of ten pregnant women. The former type of vaginal discharge was
not a serious nuisance in terms of colour, quantity and odour while the
later type of vaginal discharge was a serious issue not only in regards
to these parameters5 but also in terms of associated
adverse impacts on the mother, pregnancy and neonates.
Common causes of pathological vaginal discharge
Out findings revealed statistically significant associations between
pathological vaginal discharge and common vaginal infections i.e.
bacterial vaginosis, vaginal candidiasis and trichomoniasis
vaginalis,21,22 which are commonly found in pregnant
women with low education, underprivileged social and economic status and
poor hygiene.6 Most of women participants of our study
were recruited during antenatal appointments in the outpatient
obstetrics and gynaecology clinics, which are mostly attended by poor
families in Pakistan. In addition, the literacy in female is also low
(52%) in the country, which is even lower in rural areas
(40.5%).23 These factors may have contributed in the
higher prevalence of pathological vaginal discharge in our sample. Thus,
our study shows that pathogenic organisms such as BV, VVC and TV are the
major risk factors of pathological vaginal discharge in pregnant
women.24 Thus, these infections need proper
investigation and appropriate treatment.
We did not find any statistically significant differences in the
preponderance of normal and pathological vaginal discharge based on the
women’s age, gestation period and parity.25