Pregnant women admitted with urinary tract infections to a public sector hospital in South Africa: Are there lessons to learn?

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is associated with poor maternal and foetal outcomes. There is little information on UTI in pregnancy in South Africa. Objectives: To evaluate the frequency of UTI admissions of pregnant women admitted to a public health facility; and, to describe the outcomes of pregnancies complicated by UTI in our study population. Methods: A retrospective chart review of pregnant women admitted with the diagnosis of UTI during the period of 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012 was conducted. A midstream urine sample of women admitted with symptoms suggestive of UTI was collected for culture. The diagnosis was confirmed if the culture was positive. The data was analysed using SPSS version 21 and descriptive statistics, viz. percentages, frequency and means were estimated. Results: Of 9,881 admissions, 494 (5%) had a diagnosis of UTI based on clinical features. Sixty had positive cultures and were confirmed as having UTI. Women with UTI had high rates of preterm ruptured membranes (n = 5, 8.3%), preterm deliveries
(n = 19, 31.6%), anaemia (n = 26, 43.3%) and renal impairment (n = 4, 6.6%). Two cases of pyelonephritis required admission to an ICU because they developed acute respiratory distress syndrome. The most common pathogen isolated using cultures was Escherichia coli (n = 24, 40%). Only 10% had repeat urine cultures. Conclusion: UTI represents 5% of admissions at the study site. This study highlights the need to improve the quality of care of pregnant women with UTI.