Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women

ABSTRACT

Asymptomatic bacteriuria could lead to serious complications in pregnant women if untreated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women attending antenatal clinic. Antenatal Clinic at King Abdulaziz University hospital, Saudi Arabia. Retrospective Descriptive Cross-Sectional Hospital-Based Study. Nine hundred eighty-seven pregnant women in the second trimester were included in this study, from January 2008 to December 2010. All patients had no signs and symptoms of urinary tract infection [UTI]. Clean catch midstream urine sample was collected from each patient into sterile universal container. The urine samples were examined microscopically and then cultured. Identification of isolates was by standard microbiological technique. Three hundred forty-seven had significant bacteriuria, a prevalence rate of 35.2%. The highest age-specific prevalence was found in the 26-30 years, 113 [11.4%] and the lowest in the 46-48 years, 3 [0.3%]. Streptococcus agalactia was the most predominant organism closely followed by Escherichia coli. The study revealed that the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women was 35.2%. The predominant organisms were Streptococcus agalactia and E. coli. Routine urine cultural test should be performed on all antenatal patients to identify unsuspected infection