Bacteriuria, prematurity, and the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

ABSTRACT

The occurrance of prematurity and the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in bacteriuric and in non-bacteriuric women has been compared. In all age and parity groups the occurrance of prematurity and the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was higher in bacteriurics than in non-bacteriurics. Prevalence rates for the emergence of the hypertensive disorders of pregnancy rose particularly rapidly with increasing age parity in bacteriuric subjects. The predictive value of bacteriuria as an index of subsequent clinical pyelonephritis has been confirmed. The possible implications of these observations are discussed. It is suggested that some of the perinatal mortality and morbidity associated with hypertension and prematurity may be preventable. (Summary)