Urinary tract infections in children in a tertiary care service.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the nature of urinary tract infection (UTI), accompanying anomalies and antibiotic sensitivity in children in a tertiary care centre.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational study.

SETTING

King Fahd Hospital of the University-Al Khobar.

SUBJECTS: Infants and children with proven urinary tract infection (UTI). Age up to 12 years seen between 1988-1993. Investigations included plain xrays, IVU, voiding cystourethrography and ultrasound examination of the abdome.

RESULTS

40% of subjects were referred cases and for the other 60% it was the first contact. 56% were infants below 2 years, males were predominant and proportion of older children diminished with age. Prominent associated anomalies were hypospadias in the male (6.14%), hydronephrosis, prune-belly syndrome, renal parenchymal and anorectal anomalies. Organisms predominantly grown on culture were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and enterococci. Ampicillin and cotrimoxazole were found to be least effective.

CONCLUSIONS

Thereapeutic implications for the observations made are important to improve the outcome.