Overview
Overview & Pathophysiology
Pyelonephritis is the most common serious medical complication of pregnancy, occurring in 1–2% of pregnancies.
Pyelonephritis is the most common serious medical complication of pregnancy, occurring in 1–2% of pregnancies. Physiological ureteral dilation + urinary stasis (from progesterone-induced ureteral relaxation + uterine compression, right > left) predisposes to ascending UTI. Untreated asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) progresses to pyelonephritis in 30–40% of pregnant women — hence the universal ASB screening at first prenatal visit.