UTI during pregnancy: a clinical manifestation of severe health concern

Urinary tract infection commonly abbreviated as UTI is an issue of health concern which is common among males and females. Despite the fact that the condition is common among males and females, the modified reproductive physiology of females enhances the rate of incidence and the prevalence is very high during pregnancy. The shorter urethra in females makes them highly susceptible to the condition and the degree of occurrence varies among pregnant and non-pregnant women. The hormonal and physiological changes during pregnancy enhance the rate of incidence. Higher levels of progesterone hormone have been affiliated to increased rate of UTI and the anatomical changes have also resulted in higher prevalence of UTI during pregnancy. The condition can affect the lower and the upper urinary tract leading to conditions like bladder and kidney inflammation. The former is referred to as cystitis and the latter is called as phylonephritis. Though UTI is not life claiming the rate of mortality depends on the extent of infection. Severe phylonephritis have been linked with pulmonary manifestations and the use of empirical treatment with antibiotics has resulted in the resilience of the pathogen. Excess use of antibiotics not just benefits the pathogen but has known to cause congenital consequences in the new born. UTI during pregnancy has also been related to severe birth complications. The current review attempts to comprehend the consequences of UTI among women during pregnancy and attempts to explore the associated clinical factors.