Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy: prevalence, risk factors and causative organisms

Abstract

Untreated bacteriuria during pregnancy is associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. It is cost effective to screen for bacteriuria if the prevalence rate is 2% or more. The prevalence rate in this study was 3.6%. The 67% of the aetilogical agents belonged to the coliform group balance 33% were staphylococci. All isolates were sensitive to nitrofurantoin. There was no association between bacteriuria and risk factors, gestational diabetes, past urinary tract infection, multiparity, advanced maternal age, lower education level, advanced gestational age, and lower socioeconomic status. Screening of pregnant mothers is reported to be cost effective if the prevalence rates are ≥2%. It is recommended to screen pregnant mothers early in their pregnancy and treat those with significant bacteriuria as this would significantly minimize the adverse maternal and foetal outcomes. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v2i1.3810 Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases Vol.2(1) 2012: 41-45