[Pyelonephritis during pregnancy: a threat to mother and child].

Two pregnant women, aged 19 and 40 respectively, were diagnosed with pyelonephritis. The first patient was initially treated with amoxicillin; appropriate antibiotic treatment--consisting of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid--was delayed for 24 hours. The second patient immediately received appropriate treatment (ceftriaxone). The first patient eventually had a nephrostomy and died due to urosepsis with multiple organ failure. The second patient delivered a healthy son and recovered. Approximately 20% of the cases of pyelonephritis during pregnancy progress to urosepsis. Therefore, pregnant women with pyelonephritis should be treated immediately with an intravenous second- or third-generation cephalosporin or the combination ofamoxicillin and clavulanic acid. Treatment of pregnant patients with urosepsis should take place in an intensive care unit and include treatment of the underlying infection as well as support of vital functions. Nephrostomy in a pregnant patient with symptomatic hydronephrosis should only be performed when the symptoms persist despite adequate antibiotic treatment.