ASYMPTOMATIC BACTERIURIA AS A PREDICTOR OF PRE-ECLAMPSIA: A CASECONTROLLED STUDY

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Infectious Diseases
• Maternal Health

Background:

• Pre-eclampsia is a major global cause of maternal and perinatal mortality.
• Subclinical infections, including asymptomatic bacteriuria, are implicated in pre-eclampsia's development.
• Asymptomatic bacteriuria is a common finding during pregnancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between asymptomatic bacteriuria and pre-eclampsia.
• To determine if asymptomatic bacteriuria acts as a risk factor for developing pre-eclampsia.

Main Methods:

• A hospital-based case-control study involving 28 pre-eclamptic women and 56 healthy pregnant women (controls).
• Participants were at least 28 weeks of gestation.
• Asymptomatic bacteriuria was diagnosed via mid-stream urine microscopy and culture; data collected through questionnaires and medical records.

Main Results:

• A significant association was found between asymptomatic bacteriuria and pre-eclampsia.
• Women with pre-eclampsia had approximately three times the rate of asymptomatic bacteriuria compared to controls (OR: 2.9).
• After adjusting for confounders, the adjusted odds ratio remained significant (AOR: 1.23).

Conclusions:

• The study supports asymptomatic bacteriuria as a risk factor for pre-eclampsia.
• The causal nature of this association requires further investigation.
• Additional research is needed to elucidate the relationship between asymptomatic bacteriuria and pre-eclampsia.