The association between urinary tract infection during pregnancy and preeclampsia: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The association between urinary tract infection (UTI) during pregnancy and preeclampsia (PE) continues to be the subject of debate. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the relationship between UTI during pregnancy and PE.

STUDY DESIGN: Observational studies up to October 2017, extracted from Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases, were included in the analysis. Data were extracted to 4-fold table, and the pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of respective studies were calculated. Then meta-analysis was performed.

RESULTS: Nineteen studies qualified the inclusion criteria. Urinary tract infection during pregnancy was found to be a risk factor for the development of PE (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.22-1.40).

CONCLUSION: Occurrence of UTI during pregnancy increases the risk of PE in pregnant women. Screening for, and treatment of UTI should be part of routine antenatal care, especially in developing countries.