HOSPITAL BASED STUDY FOR ASYMPTOMATIC BACTERIURIA IN PREGNANT WOMEN

BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is infection in pregnancy which requires medical treatment. If left untreated, may lead to prematurity, intrauterine death and pyelonephritis. The diagnosis is done by culture and its antibiotic sensitivity helped the women in treatment. AIMS & OBJECTIVE: The study was done to determine the asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy by culture and also its antibiotic sensitivity. METHODS & MATERIALS: This study was done on 196 pregnant women. The specimens ware analyzed by pyuria, catalase test, nitrate reduction test, culture and sensitivity test. RESULTS: Out of 196 pregnant women, 22 showed positive culture growth and culture was the effective method in screening. The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria increased with age. Escherichia coli was the commonest organism isolated. The isolated organisms showed increased sensitivity to amikacin and lowest sensitivity to ampicillin. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic bacteriuria is a common problem in pregnant women which requires diagnosis and treatment. The diagnosis may lead to reduction of the adverse effect in pregnancy.