Climatic Factors and the Incidence of Pyelonephritis During Pregnancy

Objective: Numerous published reports have linked various disease states and pregnancy-related conditions with meteorologic factors such as weather, humidity, and temperature. The purpose of this study was to determine if temperature and dew point affect the incidence of pyelonephritis during pregnancy. Methods: A retrospective chart review of a 4-year period from 1989 to 1992 was performed. The records of women who were diagnosed with pyelonephritis during pregnancy were abstracted for the dates of admission. The climatic records of the Tampa Bay area of Florida were obtained from the National Weather Service. Results: The average, minimum, or maximum daily temperature or average daily dew point during the month of admission had no significant effect on the rate of pyelonephritis during pregnancy in the Tampa Bay area. Conclusions: The rate of pyelonephritis during pregnancy per number of deliveries in the Tampa Bay area was not affected by the average, minimum, or maximum daily temperature or average daily dew point.