Asymptomatic bacteriuria is a common and potentially serious medical
complication of pregnancy. Screening for and treatment of asymptomatic
bacteriuria in pregnancy has become a standard of obstetric care. Also, there is
a need to define the appropriate frequency of follow-up cultures and retreatment
strategies.
Key messages
􀃎 Antibiotic treatment for treating asymptomatic bacteriuria during
pregnancy is effective in reducing the risk of pyelonephritis in pregnancy.
􀃎 There is low quality of evidence that treatment of pregnant women with
asymptomatic bacteriuria is effective in reducing the risk of low birthweight
which is consistent with current theories about the role of infection in adverse
pregnancy outcomes