The significance of bacteriuria and previous history in prediction of urinary tract infection in pregnancy

Abstract EN

Objective: To study the value of a history of previous urinary tract infection, and presence of asymptomatic Bacteriuria in antenatal prediction of urinary tract infection in pregnancy. Methods: A total number of 1420 pregnant women were included in our study, at King Hussein Medical Centre, between 1997-2000.

The records of all patients were reviewed, and results for significant bacteriuria were noted together with any previous history of urinary tract infection. The prevalence of urinary tract infection was detected clinically and bacteriologically according to the presence or absence of a symptomatic bacteriuria and previous history of urinary tract infection. Results: A total number of 1420 pregnant women were involved in our study; all were screened for the presence of bacteriuria and a previous urinary tact infection.

About 9% had significant bacteriuria, and 17% had a previous history of urinary tract infection.

A round 22.5% of bacteriuric - positive women had a previous history, compared to about 16% of a bacteriuric - negative group. Twelve present of the women with a previous history of urinary tract infection had a symptomatic bacteriuria, compared with 8.46% in those with out a previous history.

The over all incidence of urinary tract infection in pregnancy was about 3%. Urinary tract infection occurred in 12.40% of bacteriuric - positive women, compared with about 2% in bacteriuric-negative group.

A bout 63% of women with urinary tract infection were not predicted by the bacteriuric screening.

Urinary tract infection in pregnancy developed in about 8% of women with a previous history, compared with about 2% in those without a previous history.

Fifty seven percent of women with urinary tract infection were not predicted by a previous history screening Method.

The use of both screening Methods would predict only 7 of the 44 (15.9%) women with urinary tract infection. Conclusion: Prediction of urinary tract infection by bacteriuria testing is unsatisfactory.

A combination of both a symptomatic bacteriuria and a previous history of urinary tract infection signify a considerable risk.