Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women: a hospital based study

ABSTRACT

To study the incidence of bacteriuria during pregnancy with no presenting symptoms of UTI and to study the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of the bacterial isolates. The study was conducted among 411 pregnant women [primi- or multigravida] on their first antenatal checkup visit in GMC hospital, Ajman over a period of one year. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect the demographic and health information from the subjects giving consent. The results of the laboratory investigations [bacteriuria, pus cells and culture sensitivity] were noted from the medical records. Bacteriuria was present in 48 [11.7%] cases, and 10 samples sent for culture sensitivity showed positive growth in 3 samples [30%]. Prevalence of culture positivity among patients with no bacteriuria, but showing presence of significant number of pus cells, was 22.2% [18/81]. Out of total 91 samples cultured, no growth was isolated in 70 samples on incubation. However, various gram positive and gram negative organisms were isolated from the remaining samples which showed variable sensitivity to different antibiotics. Asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women suggests dormant urinary tract infection which might lead to complications such as low birth weight, hypertension and higher fetal mortality rates, if left untreated. It has been suggested that a urine culture should be obtained from all women during antenatal checkup even in the absence of UTI symptoms