Urinary tract infection during pregnancy: a risk factor for cerebral palsy?
OBJECTIVE
To assess a possible association of urinary tract infection (UTI) during pregnancy and cerebral palsy in offspring.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of a case-control study using structured telephone interviews and birth certificate reviews.


METHODS
Cases from community-based agencies providing services to preschool children who were developmentally delayed.


METHODS
One hundred twelve preschool children with cerebral palsy and 153 children without cerebral palsy.


METHODS
Risk for cerebral palsy.


RESULTS
The prevalence of UTI among case mothers was 17.9% compared with 5.2% among control mothers. The crude odds ratio for risk of cerebral palsy for a mother with a UTI was 3.9, whereas the adjusted odds ratio was approximately 5, indicating that the risk of having a child with cerebral palsy was 4 to 5 times greater for mothers who had a UTI during pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Urinary tract infection during pregnancy was found to be a risk factor for development of cerebral palsy in offspring. Assessment for UTI should occur at the initial prenatal visit and more frequently for women with symptoms or who are at risk. Pregnant women should be educated about preventive measures for UTI. Future research is needed to assess more directly the relationship between UTI during pregnancy and cerebral palsy in offspring.
Polivka
B J
BJ
College of Nursing, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
Nickel
J T
JT
Wilkins
J R
JR
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000209:etiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing