Mini Review

Abstract

Citation: Obeagu EI, Ofodile AC, Okwuanaso CB. A review of urinary tract infections in pregnant women: Risks factors. J Pub Health Nutri. 2023;6(1):137 Urinary tract infection refers to both microbial colonization of the urine and tissue invasion of any structure of the urinary tract. Bacteria are most commonly responsible although yeast and viruses may also be involved. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common disorder caused by bacterial agents in pregnancy, which can lead to important complications in newborn of such mothers in case of inappropriate diagnosis and treatment. Urinary tract infection during pregnancy is common and high in age group between 26-35 years. The high incidence of UTI in the young reproductive age group is due to early pregnancy particularly in the remote settings. UTI remain a prevalent problem during pregnancy especially, in developing countries. Genital hygiene, urination habits and low socioeconomic status play significant role in the occurrence of UTI during pregnancy. These could be attributed to lack of knowledge about UTI risk factors and its prevention during pregnancy. Abstract A review of urinary tract infections in pregnant women: Risks factors.

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J Pub Health Nutri 2023 Volume 6 Issue 1
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Mini Review
Citation: Obeagu EI, Ofodile AC, Okwuanaso CB. A review of urinary tract infections in pregnant women: Risks factors. J Pub Health Nutri.
2023;6(1):137
Urinary tract infection refers to both microbial colonization of the urine and tissue invasion
of any structure of the urinary tract. Bacteria are most commonly responsible although yeast
and viruses may also be involved. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common disorder
caused by bacterial agents in pregnancy, which can lead to important complications in newborn
of such mothers in case of inappropriate diagnosis and treatment. Urinary tract infection during
pregnancy is common and high in age group between 26-35 years. The high incidence of UTI in
the young reproductive age group is due to early pregnancy particularly in the remote settings.
UTI remain a prevalent problem during pregnancy especially, in developing countries. Genital
hygiene, urination habits and low socioeconomic status play signicant role in the occurrence of
UTI during pregnancy. These could be attributed to lack of knowledge about UTI risk factors
and its prevention during pregnancy.
Abstract
A review of urinary tract infections in pregnant women: Risks factors.
Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu1*, Amaechi Chukwudi Ofodile2, Chetachi Blessing Okwuanaso2
1Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda
2Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra State,
Nigeria
Introduction
Urinary tract infection refers to both microbial colonization
of the urine and tissue invasion of any structure of the urinary
tract. Bacteria are most commonly responsible although yeast
and viruses may also be involved [1, 2].
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common disorder
caused by bacterial agents in pregnancy, which can lead to
important complications in new-born of such mothers in case
of inappropriate diagnosis and treatment [3].
Urinary tract infections are the most common bacterial
infections of pregnancy. Urinary tract infection is a major
health problem, it has been reported among 20% of the pregnant
women and it is the most common cause of admission in
obstetrical wards. Symptomatic and asymptomatic bacteriuria
has been reported among 17.9% and 13.0% pregnant women,
respectively [4].
Globally, urinary tract infection and its associated problems
are the cause of nearly 150 million deaths per year. The
disease can progress in 40-50% of women. The prevalence
of urinary tract infections in pregnancy ranges from 13-
33%, with asymptomatic bacteriuria occurring in 2–10%.
Asymptomatic bacteriuria is now are cognized entity in the
range of urinary tract infections. Asymptomatic urinary tract
infection is separation of a stated quantity of bacteria and
suitably collected urine sample obtained from a person with
no symptoms or signs of urinary tract infection.
Urinary tract infections represent the most common bacterial
infection in pregnancy. Expectant women are at a greater risk
for urinary tract infection, beginning in week 6 and peaking
during weeks 22 to 24. This is due to a number of structural
and physiological factors, with the occurrence of infection
of the kidney increasing in the third trimester of pregnancy.
The prevalence is constant and most of the recent studies,
in developing and developed countries, report similar rates
[3].
Risk factors associated with urinary tract
infections
Age
Urinary tract infection during pregnancy is common and high
in age group between 26-35 years. The high incidence of UTI
in the young reproductive age group is due to early pregnancy
particularly in the remote settings. Many studies considered
advances in age a risk factor for getting UTI in pregnancy
because there is decline in glycogen level, deposition and
decrease in the Lactobacillus as part of ageing progression
which increases bacterial adherence and attack by pathogens
and make them more vulnerable.
Majority of urinary tract infection among pregnant women is
well-known in age group 26-30 years, followed by 21-25, and
31-35years. The youngest among those studied was 18 years
and oldest 45 years [5].
Keywords: Urinary tract infection, Pregnancy, Risk factors.
*Corresponding Author: Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Uganda. Email:
emmanuelobeagu@yahoo.com
Received: 17-Dec-2022, Manuscript No. AAJPHN-22-83918; Editor assigned: 20-Dec-2022, PreQC No. AAJPHN-22-83918 (PQ); Reviewed: 27-Dec-2022, QC No AAJPHN-22-83918;
Revised: 30-Dec-2022, Manuscript No. AAJPHN-22-83918(R); Published: 05-Jan-2023, DOI:10.35841/aajphn-6.1.137

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J Pub Health Nutri 2023 Volume 6 Issue 1
Citation: Obeagu EI, Ofodile AC, Okwuanaso CB. A review of urinary tract infections in pregnant women: Risks factors. J Pub Health Nutri.
2023;6(1):137
Education level
Lower levels of education and low socio-economic grade
have correlation with higher prevalence of ASB in many
studies and reports [6]. This is because education improves
the attitudes and beliefs of women. However, according to
[7], level of education of the participants did not have any
signicant association with ASB; which disagrees with [6].
Socio-economic factors
The prevalence of urinary tract infection was found to vary
with socio-economic status of respondents. The prevalence
was higher in women with low socio-economic status
compared to middle and higher classes [8].
Obstetric factors
Gravidity: According to, urinary tract infection in pregnancy
was more common among women with rst pregnancies
(53.85%) compared to multi-gravidae (46.15%). This study
shows that nulliparous women are more susceptible to UTI
compared to multiparous women. A study by [9] in Nigeria
also gave similar results [5].
Parity and gestational age considerably aect the prevalence
of urinary tract infection. These have been previously reported
in many studies [10].
Gestational age: Pregnant women in their third trimester
of current pregnancy and those having more than one child
were mostly susceptible to acquire urinary tract infection.
Numerous anatomical and hormonal variations in pregnant
women lead to urethral dilation and urinary inertia which
increased changes of developing UTI [11].
Studies have shown that with respect to trimester, majority of
the pregnant women with UTI were in third trimester, followed
by second trimester and rst trimester [12]. Bacteriuria is
common in ve to ten weeks of gestation, followed by ten to
fteen weeks and fteen to twenty weeks. This nding was in
line with the nding of the study conducted by [13].
Genetic factors
The presence of P-antigens on ABO blood group in the
uro-epithelial cells act as receptors for E. coli adhesion.
In people with secretor status, ABO blood group antigens
are secreted in body uids to cover the receptors for E. coli
adhesion. Therefore, such persons hardly suer from UTI.
Comparatively, for persons having no secretor status, the
receptors for E. coli adhesion are uncovered and exposed
for attachment of bacteria hence resulting into recurrent UTI
[5]. Around 4-7 per cent of pregnant mothers suer from
UTI during their pregnancies and about 25- 30% of them
develop acute pyelonephritis. The important cause for their
predilection is dilatation of pelvis and ureters, impediment to
ow of urine from the bladder and hormonal changes [14].
Abnormalities such as vesico-rectal and vesico-vaginal
stulae, trauma to urinary tract from accidence or operation,
increases the chances of getting urinary tract infection in
pregnant women. Such mothers do not go for checkup and
may progress to complicated UTI [15].
Metabolic factors like diabetes mellitus are associated with
a high prevalence of perianal colony by potential pathogens.
Presence of glucose in urine increases occurrence and severity
of infection in mothers with diabetes mellitus [16].
Conclusion
UTI remain a prevalent problem during pregnancy especially,
in developing countries. Genital hygiene, urination habits
and low socioeconomic status play signicant role in the
occurrence of UTI during pregnancy. These could be attributed
to lack of knowledge about UTI risk factors and its prevention
during pregnancy.
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J Pub Health Nutri 2023 Volume 6 Issue 1
Citation: Obeagu EI, Ofodile AC, Okwuanaso CB. A review of urinary tract infections in pregnant women: Risks factors. J Pub Health Nutri.
2023;6(1):137
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