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Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy

Fiona Smaill1

  • 1Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. smaill@mcmaster.ca <smaill@mcmaster.ca>

Best Practice & Research. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology
|March 10, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Screening pregnant women for asymptomatic bacteriuria is crucial for preventing pyelonephritis. While treatment may reduce preterm birth, further research is needed to confirm this link and optimize therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Urology

Background:

  • Asymptomatic bacteriuria screening is a standard in antenatal care.
  • Evidence supports treating asymptomatic bacteriuria to reduce pyelonephritis incidence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence for screening and treating asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women.
  • To assess the impact of treatment on pyelonephritis, preterm delivery, and low birth weight.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy.
  • Analysis of evidence regarding screening methods and treatment efficacy.

Main Results:

  • Screening all pregnant women for asymptomatic bacteriuria is recommended.
  • Treatment decreases pyelonephritis incidence; potential benefits for preterm birth and low birth weight require cautious interpretation due to study quality.
  • Current rapid screening tests are inadequate replacements for urine culture.

Conclusions:

  • Continued screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy is supported.
  • Further research is necessary to elucidate the mechanism linking treatment to reduced preterm delivery and to establish optimal treatment durations.

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