Prevalence, Sociodemographic Determinants, and Association of Urinary Tract Infections with Premature Rupture of Membranes in Pregnant Women

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) frequently occur during pregnancy because of anatomical and physiological alterations, raising the risk of premature rupture of membranes (PROM), which may result in complications for both the mother and newborn. UTIs can happen irrespective of a mother’s age or number of previous births, emphasizing the importance of routine screening. This research seeks to evaluate the occurrence of UTIs in pregnant women and investigate their connection to PROM. Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional study took place (July 2023–June 2024) at Dhaka Medical College with pregnant women (≥28 weeks, single pregnancy) suspected of having a UTI. Samples of data and urine were gathered for analysis via microscopy and culture. PROM was tracked until delivery, and its correlation with UTI was evaluated using Fisher’s exact test and odds ratios (p<0.05) in SPSS v25. Results: The research involved 152 expectant mothers, primarily aged 27–34 years (44.1%), with the majority being housewives (73.7%) and repeat pregnancies (78.9%). Microscopic analysis revealed that 85.5% exhibited notable pyuria (>5 pus cells/HPF), with a predominance of Gram-negative bacteria (91.2%). PROM was noted in 53.9% of suspected UTI instances, increasing to 60.8% in cases with significant pyuria and 61.3% in culture-positive UTIs. A significant link was identified between UTI and PROM, as 61.3% of culture-positive cases experienced PROM, in contrast to none in culture-negative cases (OR 2.58; 95% CI: 2.06–3.24; p=0.001).  Conclusion: UTIs in pregnancy are strongly linked to PROM, highlighting the need for early detection and treatment.