Pregnancy Outcomes: A Comparison of Women with Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Cape Coast, Ghana

Abstract

Bacteriuria, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, has been found to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes for the mother and the baby. This comparative study compared the maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnancy between mothers with symptomatic and those with asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy. The results showed that maternal outcomes (presence of foul smelling liquor, premature rupture of membranes, history of pregnancy-induced hypertension and previous abortion) were comparable between the groups. These outcomes did not exclusively depend on whether the pregnant women had asymptomatic or symptomatic bacteriuria. A positive association existed between symptomatic bacteriuria and gestational age (possibility of preterm or full term birth) while women with symptomatic bacteriuria were 7.3 times more likely to have preterm birth than women who were asymptomatic. Moreover, the Apgar scores at one minute and at five minutes were significantly associated with a presence of symptoms of bacteriuria in the mother. It is concluded that bacteriuria in pregnancy causes adverse obstetric outcomes and should be screened for and adequately treated.