MBBS Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, MS - General Surgery, Genito Urinary Surgery
Urologist, Ludhiana
•
21 years experience
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Pyelonephritis is more common in women who are not pregnant.
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Pyelonephritis or a sudden bacterial infection of the urinary tract and kidneys occurs more commonly in pregnant women. This is mainly due to the host of physiological changes that a woman undergoes during her pregnancy. If left untreated, the infection may fester and cause complications for both the mother and the unborn child. Antibiotics are prescribed to such patients and are administered both intravenously and orally. However, the infection may recur at later stages of the pregnancy as well.
The excess progesterone during pregnancy increases the risk of pyelonephritis.
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Doctors believe that the excess progesterone produced during pregnancy may inhibit the contractions of the ureters, which in turn, prohibits the flow of urine outside the body. Furthermore, with the growing size of the uterus, it too may exert pressure on the ureters, causing the blockage of the passage of urine. Some of the urine remains in the kidneys due to this and causes the bacterial infection.
Which of the following is a symptom of pyelonephritis?
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Even though there are several symptoms of the condition, pain while passing urine is one of the most common ones. Other pyelonephritis symptoms include high fever, pain in the lower back, lowered urinary frequency and blood in the urine.
How is pyelonephritis diagnosed in pregnant women?
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The presence of bacteria in the urine can be detected using a microscope. Apart from the bacterial presence, the culture also reveals the presence of excess white blood cells in the urine, which is only present in case of an infection.
15 percent of all pregnant women suffer from pyelonephritis.
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While it is true that pregnant women are more prone to getting affected by the bacterial infection, only around 2 percent of pregnant women will suffer from the condition. The infection is generally diagnosed in its earliest stages and doctors will advise the mother to stay at the hospital for a day or two. During this time, antibiotics are administered intravenously and the effects of the drugs are monitored. If the mother starts to recover, she is sent home and prescribed additional, oral antibiotics.