UTI in Pregnancy and It's Maternal and Perinatal Outcome

Abstract Urinary tract infection is one of the most common bacterial infections in pregnancy in most of developing countries like India. The total incidence is 5-10% in pregnancy. It is the second most common bacterial infection seen during pregnancy which could be symptomatic or asymptomatic. This study aims to find out the incidence of urinary tract infection in pregnancy, maternal complications and its perinatal outcome. This is a prospective study conducted at Navodaya medical college, Raichur for a period of one year. Pregnant women attending outpatient department irrespective of the trimester, with or without symptoms of UTI and without any known renal diseases were enrolled. Urine routine and urine culture was done as screening test in all pregnant women. If pus cells ≥3- 4 present in mid-stream urine routine and colony count yielding bacterial growth of more than or equal to 105/ml was taken as significant. The pregnant women were followed up till delivery to find out maternal and fetal outcomes. In this present study, out of 100 women, 16% had significant bacteriuria. Out of 16% women with UTI, 9% were symptomatic and 7% were asymptomatic. UTI was highest in the late pregnancy (16.66%) and early pregnancy (28.57%). Most common organism isolated was E. coli (43.75%). The present study showed that preterm labour, preterm premature rupture of membranes, fetal growth restriction and low birth weight had a significant higher rate in women with urinary infection compared to those without infection. All pregnant women should be screened for UTI with a urine routine and urine culture, treated with antibiotics if the culture is positive and then re-tested for cure. Awareness has to be created about good hygienic practices and adequate hydration among pregnant women.