Pyelonephritis in Pregnancy From the Lens of an Underserved Community

Cureus. 2022 Sep 11;14(9):e29029. doi: 10.7759/cureus.29029. eCollection 2022 Sep.

Abstract

In pregnancy, early signs and symptoms of urinary tract infection, including cystitis or pyelonephritis, may overlap with pregnancy symptoms, making early detection challenging. Compounding this challenge is when it presents itself in resource-poor settings for several factors, including poverty, poor access to healthcare care, inadequate diagnostic facilities, low availability of insurance, education, and cultural limitations. In this case report, we present a case of a 33-year-old G3P2 with pyelonephritis in pregnancy that was compounded by issues related to access to care in resource-limited settings. Although this case was handled in a resource-poor country, fighting to improve access to better health care, the term "underserved" is not exclusive to such a place. Therefore, we reviewed some basic guidelines for managing pyelonephritis in pregnancy and the obstacles in most underprivileged populations.

Keywords: complicated pyelonephritis; complicated uti; high-risk pregnancy; pyelonephritis in pregnancy; underserved populations; urinary track infection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports