Study of Urinary Tract Infections and Their Link to Preeclampsia in Pregnant Women Aged 18 to 35 in Pakistan

What this Trial Is About

Urinary tract infections UTIs are common bacterial infections, especially in pregnant women, and can lead to serious complications like preterm labor and low birth weight if untreated. Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder affecting 0.2 to 9.2% of pregnancies and is a leading cause of maternal and fetal complications. The connection between UTIs and preeclampsia is unclear, with some studies showing an association and others not. This study aims to investigate this link specifically in pregnant women in Pakistan, where these conditions significantly impact maternal and neonatal health. The study will enroll 160 pregnant women, half with UTIs and half without, from the Obstetrics Department of PAF Hospital in Islamabad. Participants must be between 18 and 35 years old and have a gestational age over 20 weeks. UTIs will be diagnosed using urine tests, while preeclampsia will be identified based on blood pressure and proteinuria criteria. The women will be followed until delivery, and data will be analyzed to assess the risk of preeclampsia associated with UTIs. During the study, participants will provide urine samples and undergo clinical evaluations. The research team will track the development of preeclampsia according to set definitions, while managing all patients as per hospital standards. Outcomes will be analyzed using statistical software, focusing on the relative risk of preeclampsia in women with and without UTIs. The study will also consider factors like age and gestational age to better understand this association.

Association of Urinary Tract Infection With Preeclampsia During Pregnancy