Condition Lookup
Category:
Special Topics
Number of Conditions: 1
Bacterial Infections and Pregnancy
Specialty: Infectious Diseases
Category: Special Topics
Symptoms:
fever; abdominal pain; vaginal discharge; preterm labor; maternal sepsis; fetal distress
Root Cause:
Bacterial infections in pregnancy can result from common pathogens like Group B Streptococcus, Listeria, E. coli, or Chlamydia, affecting maternal and fetal health.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves clinical evaluation, culture tests (blood, urine, vaginal swabs), imaging (if necessary), and specific tests for pathogens (PCR or antigen-based tests).
Treatment:
Treatment includes targeted antibiotic therapy, managing maternal symptoms, and monitoring fetal health. Hospitalization may be required for severe cases.
Medications:
Antibiotics such as amoxicillin , azithromycin , ceftriaxone , or penicillin are commonly prescribed. These belong to beta-lactam antibiotics, macrolides, or cephalosporins, ensuring safety for the mother and fetus.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 10-30% of pregnant women may be carriers of Group B Streptococcus; other infections like Listeria are less common but significant due to potential complications.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
History of preterm delivery, poor hygiene, lack of prenatal care, unpasteurized food consumption, and untreated infections.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, outcomes for mother and baby are generally favorable. Untreated infections can lead to severe complications, including sepsis or neonatal mortality.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Preterm labor, miscarriage, neonatal sepsis, maternal sepsis, or long-term developmental issues in the infant.