Urinary tract infection (UTI) is common during pregnancy due to urinary stasis, which results from hormonal ureteral dilation, hormonal ureteral hypoperistalsis, and pressure of the expanding uterus against the ureters. Asymptomatic bacteriuria occurs in about 15% of pregnancies and sometimes progresses to symptomatic cystitis or pyelonephritis. Frank UTI is not always preceded by asymptomatic bacteriuria.
Asymptomatic bacteriuria, UTI, and pyelonephritis increase risk for
- Preterm labor
- Premature rupture of the membranes
Treatment of symptomatic UTI is generally unchanged by pregnancy except that drugs that may harm the fetus must be avoided (see table Some Drugs With Adverse Effects During Pregnancy).
See Urinary Tract Infection in Pregnancy in The Manuals.
References
1. Delzell JE, Lefevre ML. Urinary tract infections during pregnancy. Am Fam Physician. 2000;61(3):713–21. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0201/p713.html
2. Matuszkiewicz-Rowińska J, Małyszko J, Wieliczko M. Urinary tract infections in pregnancy: old and new unresolved diagnostic and therapeutic problems. Arch Med Sci. 2015;11(1):67–77. doi:10.5114/aoms.2013.39202
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4379362/
3. US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2019;322(12):1188–1194. doi: doi:10.1001/jama.2019.13069
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2751726
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