Delayed STI diagnoses have contributed to poorer perinatal outcomes in the NT, including a doubled risk of stillbirth in cases of maternal gonorrhoea infection, research suggests.

Of almost 60,000 singleton births between 2005 and 2020, nearly 5000 involved mothers with chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis or syphilis during pregnancy, according to a study published in The Lancet Regional Health — Western Pacific this month.

Maternal gonorrhoea infection (present in 1.4% of births) was associated with a 97% increased risk of stillbirth and a 76% increased risk of small-for-gestational-age compared with no STI in pregnancy.

Trichomoniasis (4% of births) was associated with a 23% increased risk of preterm birth, according to the researchers, led by Curtin University in Perth.