The Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteruria in Pregnant Women with and without Gestational Diabetes

Asymptomatic bacteriuria is common in pregnant women. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteruria in pregnant women with and with-out gestational diabetes. In this case-control study, pregnant women aged 16-40 years attended to Shahid Beheshti hospital in Isfahan were studied and the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteruria was compared in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes. They were screened for gestational diabetes mellitus, using glucose challenge test. Asymptomatic bacteruria was determined using microscopic examination and culture of a clean midstream voided urine specimen. 172 pregnant women were enrolled in each group. The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteruria was 27.3% and 24.4% in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes (P > 0.05). The rate of asymptomatic bacteruria was higher in lower age group in non diabetic patients, but it was not different significantly in pregnant women with gestational diabetes. There was not significant relationship between history of urinary tract infection and asymptomatic bacteruria (P > 0.05).The most common cause of asymptomatic bacteruria was E.Coli in both groups (76.2% in non diabetic and 70.2% in pregnant women with gestational diabetes). Asymptomatic bacteriuria considered as a major health problem in this region and though its prevalence was not higher in diabetic pregnant women than non diabetic ones but considering its high prevalence, screening for asymptomatic bacteruria during pregnancy seems to be essential.