Outcome of Pregnancy Complicated by Asymptomatic Bacteriuria

Objective: To evaluate pregnancy outcome in women with asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB). Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: The University Teaching Hospital Yaoundé (Cameroon) from May 1st, 2012 to April 30th, 2014. Population: Fifty two women with (treated) ASB and 156 without ASB were followed up till delivery. Methods: Data were analyzed using Epi-info 3.5.4. Data of women with ASB were compared to those of women without ASB. Fisher's exact test and t-test were used for comparison. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Main outcome measures: Maternal age and parity, bacteria isolated from urine culture and its sensitivity, gestational age (GA) at diagnosis of ASB and at delivery, maternal complication during pregnancy, fetal sex and the birth weight. Results: The mean GA at diagnosis of ASB was 21.0 ± 7.0 weeks. The main micro-organism isolated was Escherichia coli. The two antibiotics usually efficient were ceftriaxone and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. There was no significant differences regarding maternal age, parity or the mean GA at delivery in both groups. ASB was associated with preterm birth (RR 2.4) and especially with low birth weight (LBW:<2500 g) (RR 5), especially when diagnosed early in pregnancy (RR 7.4). No case of pre eclampsia or pyelonephritis was observed in the ASB group. Conclusion: ASB is associated with LBW especially when present early in pregnancy.