The long-term prognosis of bacteriuria in pregnancy. A 16 to 17 year follow-up study

An investigation made in 1966-67 of 2,122 pregnant women revealed 182 (8.6%) with significant asymptomatic bacteriuria, of whom 127 could be located in 1983. In 182 non-bacteriuric controls from the same investigation 105 could be located. Eight bacteriuric and 1 non-bacteriuric patient had died, all from causes of death unrelated to urinary tract infections. Data were collected by questionnaires, together with a urine specimen from approximately 73% of the survivors. No differences could be found between the initial bacteriuric and non-bacteriuric group concerning the number and complications of later pregnancies, urinary tract infections requiring hospitalization, or recognized arterial hypertension. In 1983, more of the initially bacteriuric women had experienced urinary tract infections not demanding hospitalization and more were bacteriuric (greater than or equal to 10(5) col/ml), compared with the controls: 36.5% and 28.8%, respectively. These high rates probably indicate some contamination due to self-sampling. B. anitratum was a new bacteria emerging, compared with the original study.