Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent the most common bacterial infection in pregnant and non-pregnant women. Physiologic changes of pregnancy increase a woman’s susceptibility to UTIs. Progesterone effects and mechanical compression by the gravid uterus impair emptying of the bladder and lead to increased bladder residual volume and vesicoureteral reflux. Relative stasis of urine in the ureters results in hydronephrosis. Furthermore, pregnancy-related changes in glomerular filtration rate increases the urinary glucose concentration and alkalinity, thereby facilitating bacterial growth. The signs and symptoms of UTIs vary by the type of infection. UTIs in pregnancy is classified by the site of bacterial proliferation as follows: asymptomatic bacteriuria, cystitis, pyelonephritis.

• Keywords: Urinary tract infection, Pregnancy