PREGNANT WOMAN, KEEP TAB ON URINE

Pregnant women must be checked for urinary tract infections during every trimester of pregnancy as their compromised immunity allows for asymptomatic bacteria to proliferate in the urine tract, according to a study carried out by microbiologists at Osmania Medical College, Gandhi Medical College and Shadan Medical College here.

It was found that 61.11 per cent pregnant women reporting to government hospitals had asymptomatic bacteria but showed no symptoms of urinary tract infection. The women were in the age-group of 26 to 35 years and it was found that asymptomatic bacteria increases the risk of complications in pregnancy and childbirth.

Asympotmatic bacteria refers to the presence of bacteria in urine, and culture reveals a significant growth of pathogens. The patient does not show symptoms of UTI like pain or burning sensation during urination, constant urge to urinate, blood in the urine and others.

A total of 200 pregnant women were checked in the government maternity hospital for a period of one year. Dr Lakshmi C.K., senior gynaecologist, explained, “Checking for urinary tract infections is mandatory during every visit as the increase in the bacteria in the urinary tract can cause kidney failure. The complications involve prematurity, low birth weight and higher foetal mortality rates.”

Routine urine culture tests must be carried out so that the infection, if present, can be detected and controlled in time. Dr Uma Devi, senior gynaecologist, said, “In government hospitals, pregnant women who enrol and follow-up regularly have better outcomes then those who come in the last trimester. Hence it is being constantly stressed that health workers at the ground level must ensure that these women come to hospitals for regular checks. Then it is possible to diagnose and also control the infections.”

UTI is treated with appropriate antibiotic therapy and the drugs are prescribed on the quantity of bacteria found in the culture reports.