What complication can arise from an untreated asymptomatic UTI in pregnant women?

An untreated asymptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) in pregnant women can lead to pyelonephritis, which is a serious kidney infection. During pregnancy, hormonal changes and physical compression of the urinary tract can make women more susceptible to UTIs. When these infections are asymptomatic, they may go undetected and untreated, significantly increasing the risk of ascending infection.

Pyelonephritis can result in severe complications for both the mother and the fetus, including increased risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and in severe cases, maternal sepsis. Therefore, screening and treating UTIs in pregnant women, even if they are asymptomatic, is crucial to prevent this serious complication and promote better outcomes in pregnancy.

In contrast, while preterm labor, placental abruption, and gestational diabetes can occur during pregnancy, they are not direct complications of asymptomatic UTIs and do not stem from untreated urinary infections in the same way that pyelonephritis does.