POSTPARTUM SURVEILLANCE OF BACTERIURIA IN TERM VAGINAL DELIVERIES

This study examined the prevalence of bacteriuria in early postpartum period after term vaginal delivery in Trinidad, West Indies. Asymptoma tic bacteriuria occurred in 58 (34.5%) of 168 patients tested. The pre valence of bacteriuria was significantly higher in non-catheterized pa tients than in catheterized patients and occurred more commonly in pat ients who were 20 to 29 years old and who were primigravida rather tha n multigravida. Forty-four patients had a history of urinary tract inf ection; 18 (40.9%) of these patients had positive urine cultures. Alth ough 10 patients had a vaginal discharge in the late third trimester, none presented with postpartum bacteriuria. Because of the high preval ence of postpartum bacteriuria and the potential to progress to pyelon ephritis and chronic renal disease, quantitative urine cultures for al l postnatal patients and curative treatment for all positive cultures are recommend.