Introduction:Preeclampsia is one of the most common and serious complications of pregnancy,significantly contributing to maternal mortality.Urinary tract infections(UTIs)are also prevalent during pregnancy and may influence the incidence of preeclampsia.The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between urinary tract infections occurring in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy and the incidence of preeclampsia.
Methods:This case-control study was conducted in1403 at Bent-ol-Hadi Hospital in Bojnourd.A total of102pregnant women diagnosed with preeclampsia(case group)and102pregnant women without preeclampsia(control group)were selected using convenience sampling.Data were collected through a review of the mothers' medical records and a demographic and clinical questionnaire.Chi-square tests and independent t-tests were employed to analyze the data.
Result:The study revealed that the prevalence of urinary tract infections(UTIs)during the first trimester of pregnancy was significantly higher in the preeclampsia group compared to the control group(P = 0.041).However, in the second trimester, no significant difference in UTI prevalence was observed between the two groups. Additionally, in cases where UTIs were present in both the first and second trimesters, the likelihood of developing preeclampsia increased significantly (P = 0.046). A comparison of laboratory indicators also indicated that the white blood cell count at the time of hospitalization was significantly higher in the preeclampsia group than in the control group.
Conclusion:The results of this study indicate a significant association between urinary tract infections in early pregnancy and the occurrence of preeclampsia. Therefore, the screening, diagnosis,and timely treatment of urinary tract infections during pregnancy should be considered effective strategies for the prevention of preeclampsia.