Asymptomatic bacteriuria

Question 1

What is Asymptomatic bacteriuria?

Answer 1

clinical condition where a significant amount of bacteria is present in the urine of a pregnant woman, without the presence of symptoms indicative of a urinary tract infection.

This is characterised by a positive urine culture in the absence of UTI symptoms.

Question 2

What are signs and symptoms of AB?

Answer 2

usually characterised by the absence of symptoms.

However, sometimes UTI symptoms may occur:
Frequent urination
Discomfort during urination
Lower abdominal pain
Fever
Hematuria

Question 3

What are the main differentials for AB?

Answer 3

Urinary tract infection: Characterised by dysuria, frequency, urgency, lower abdominal pain, and fever.

Pyelonephritis: Characterised by fever, flank pain, nausea, vomiting, and urinary symptoms such as frequency and dysuria.

Bladder infection (cystitis): Characterised by dysuria, frequency, urgency, and lower abdominal pain.

Question 4

How is AB managed?

Answer 4

Involves treating the condition with antibiotics.

Nitrofurantoin and cefalexin are commonly used in this context.

If group B streptococcal bacteriuria is identified, the mother will require intrapartum prophylactic antibiotics to reduce the risk of transmission to the foetus during labour.