Urinary tract infections in unplanned pregnancies and fetal outcome

Many pregnant women are exposed to antibiotics for urinary tract infections during pregnancy. Our aim is to bring attention to antibiotherapy in unplanned pregnancies.

Among the 511 cases followed by our 'Toxicology Information and Follow-up Service' for drug exposure during pregnancy, 101 cases, unaware of their pregnancy, had been prescribed antibiotics and urinary antiseptic drugs in the first trimester of their unplanned pregnancies. The data on the outcome of these pregnancies and the babies were evaluated in this study.

Of the 511 cases, 101 pregnant women were exposed to nine kinds of drugs. Seventy-five cases had healthy babies; two had babies with major malformations; one had a baby with congenital hypothyroidism; five had spontaneous abortions; and eight cases underwent induced abortions. The outcomes of eight pregnancies are unknown. Two pregnancies are still continuing without any problem. One baby had a fetal renal anomaly; however, the physical examination did not reveal any other malformations. The baby died 4 hours after delivery. Another baby had atrial septal defect, a major malformation, and one baby had congenital hypothyroidism.

Urinary tract infection is one of the most frequently seen complications of pregnancy. Our study indicated that the possibility of pregnancy should be considered when prescribing antibiotics for urinary tract infections in women of reproductive age.