HPV and premature delivery risk

Abstract

Preterm delivery represents the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Among possible etiologies of premature birth are the infectious ones, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection being less documented than others. The available data on the role of HPV infection in premature delivery pathogenesis is limited and controversial. This review article attempts to make an assessment of current information on the risk of premature delivery in women with HPV infection during pregnancy. A systematic literature electronic search for journal articles and guidelines regarding HPV infection during pregnancy was undertaken. The relationship between HPV infection and pregnancy is bidirectional, as physiological changes that occur during pregnancy modulate the mechanisms of HPV infection and HPV infection determine adverse maternal, obstetrical, and fetal outcomes.