Evaluating the predictive value of screening and confirmatory tests for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women attending a tertiary care hospital in Mehsana, North Gujarat

• Author Details:   
• Payal Raval
• Saakshi Shah
• Komal Patel
• Purav G Patel ^*

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Purpose: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is a significant health concern among pregnant women, necessitating regular screening during all three trimesters of pregnancy. Diagnosis of ASB can be made through microscopy, urine culture, and rapid biochemical screening tests.

Methodology: In this cross-sectional study, midstream urine samples were collected in OPD from all pregnant women (20-40 years) attending the antenatal clinic for analysis. The samples were tested for biochemical markers, including leukocytes, nitrites, and other relevant parameters. Microscopic examination and urine culture were performed using standard methods. The results of all three diagnostic methods were compared, and the positive predictive value was assessed.

Results: ASB among study population was 8.33%. Positive predictive value (PPV) for microscopy, detection of leukocytes and nitrite was 54.29%, 21.05% and 69.23%. In this study, no significant difference (P value >0.05) was observed in development of ASB in different associated factors related categories.

Conclusion: In conclusion, prevalence rate of ASB among pregnant women was on average with different studies across the globe. It was observed that microscopy and nitrite detection is sensitive enough to screen primary cases of ASB up to some extent but detection of leukocyte is not having good correlation with true positive isolates.

Keywords: Asymptomatic bacteriuria, Biochemical analysis, Microscopy, Pregnant women, Urine culture.