title: Urinary tract infections during pregnancy.
abstract: Urinary tract infections are common during pregnancy, and the most common causative organism is Escherichia coli. Asymptomatic bacteriuria can lead to the development of cystitis or pyelonephritis. All pregnant women should be screened for bacteriuria and subsequently treated with antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin, sulfisoxazole or cephalexin. Ampicillin should no longer be used in the treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria because of high rates of resistance. Pyelonephritis can be a life-threatening illness, with increased risk of perinatal and neonatal morbidity. Recurrent infections are common during pregnancy and require prophylactic treatment. Pregnant women with urinary group B streptococcal infection should be treated and should receive intrapartum prophylactic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Center, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, 65212, USA.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Delzell
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lefevre
mesh_terms: D000892:Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013664:Teaching Materials; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000892:Anti-Infective Agents, Urinary