Bacteriuria in Pregnancy

Introduction: Urinary tract infections pathogens are common among pregnant women but the detection and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy will prevents urinary tract infection and its consequences in pregnancy.
Aim: This research set out to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria and its socio-demographic characteristics amongst pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja.
Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. One hundred and twenty-five consecutive asymptomatic pregnant women who attend antenatal clinic were recruited and were well informed to collect clean catch midstream urine aseptically.
Results: Urine samples of 125 asymptomatic pregnant women were examined and screened for bacteria pathogens, 16 had positive urine cultures giving asymptomatic bacteriuria prevalence rate of 12.8%. Positive urine cultures were more common in women of low parity (81.5%) and those in the age group 30-34 years (50.0%). It was also most common in the second trimester of pregnancy (81.3%) and among women with tertiary education (68.8%). The bacteria isolated were sensitive to nitrofurantoin in 87.5% of cases and to amoxyclav in 6.3% of cases.
Conclusion: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in our centre is relatively high. Laboratory investigations still remain relevant in corroborating the clinical entity despite no symptoms.