Treatment of bacterial infections in pregnancy

Treatment of bacterial infections in pregnancy requires an understanding of the unique problems related to the administration of antibacterial agents to pregnant women. The clinician must be aware not only of the antibiotic-associated untoward effects which may develop in the mother, but also of the possibility that adverse reactions may occur in the fetus. Precise knowledge of the microbial aetiology of those infections which occur during pregnancy and an understanding of the intricacies of antibiotic administration to pregnant women will assure the greatest likelihood that bacterial infections in pregnancy will be effectively, and safely, treated.