Cranberry juice may prevent urinary symptoms in pregnancy

Cranberry juice may protect against asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptomatic urinary tract infections in pregnant women, although more research is needed to confirm the findings, according to a report in the October issue of the Journal of Urology.

Deborah A. Wing, MD, of the University of California-Irvine, and colleagues examined the effect of daily cranberry juice on asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptomatic urinary tract infections during pregnancy compared to placebo. A total of 188 women were randomized to one of three treatment arms: cranberry juice three times daily; cranberry juice at breakfast with placebo at lunch and dinner; or placebo three times daily. Dosing was changed to twice daily to improve compliance after 27.7% of enrollment was completed.

Overall, there were 27 urinary tract infections in 18 subjects without significant differences between the three groups, the researchers report. While multiple daily dosing of cranberry juice was associated with a 57% and a 41% reduction in the frequency of asymptomatic bacteriuria and all urinary tract infections, respectively, the study was not sufficiently powered, the authors note. Significantly, 73 patients withdrew, with the most common reason being gastrointestinal upset.

Wing DA, Rumneya PJ, Preslicka CW, et al. Daily cranberry juice for the prevention of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy: a randomized, controlled pilot study. J Urol. 2008;180:1367-1372.