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Minimum incidence and diagnostic rate of first urinary tract infection
B Jakobsson1, E Esbjörner, S Hansson
1Department of Pediatrics, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. birgir.jakobsson@pediat.hs.sll.se
Insights
This study found a high diagnostic rate and incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children under two years old in Sweden. Increased awareness of UTIs may help prevent kidney damage in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in young children, but awareness and diagnostic rates can vary.
- Early diagnosis and treatment of UTIs are crucial to prevent long-term complications like pyelonephritic renal scarring and chronic kidney failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic rate and minimum incidence of first UTIs in children younger than two years of age.
- To evaluate the level of awareness regarding UTIs in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 26 pediatric centers in Sweden, covering 64% of the pediatric population under two years old.
- Diagnostic rate calculated based on all included children; minimum incidence estimated using strict UTI confirmation criteria (suprapubic aspiration or specific urine sample results).
Main Results:
- The mean diagnostic rate for UTIs was 1.5% in boys and 1.7% in girls.
- The mean incidence was 1.0% for both sexes, with a minimum cumulative incidence at two years estimated at 2.2% for boys and 2.1% for girls.
- A higher diagnostic rate was observed in June compared to December.
Conclusions:
- The study indicates high UTI awareness in Sweden, evidenced by elevated diagnostic rates and incidence in children under two years, exceeding previous reports.
- Higher awareness and prompt diagnosis of UTIs in young children are suggested to be protective against the development of chronic renal failure due to pyelonephritic scarring.
Objective:
To study awareness of urinary tract infections (UTIs) by determining the diagnostic rate of first UTI in children <2 years of age and to estimate the minimum incidence.
Methods:
Twenty-six of a total of 43 pediatric centers participated in the study. Sixty-four percent of the total childhood population <2 years of age was covered. The number of all children included in the study was used to calculate the diagnostic rate. Only UTI confirmed by either suprapubic aspiration (any growth) or midstream or bag samples with >/=100 000 bacteria/mL, together with a positive nitrite reaction, was used to estimate the minimum incidence.
Results:
The mean diagnostic rate was 1.5% for boys (range, 0.7%-3.0%) and 1.7% for girls (range, 0.7%-2.9%). The diagnostic rate was significantly higher in June than in December. The mean incidence was 1.0% for both boys and girls (range, 0.3%-3.0% and 0.4%-2.9%, respectively). The minimum cumulative incidence at 2 years of age was estimated to be 2.2% for boys and 2.1% for girls.
Conclusion:
This study suggests a high UTI awareness in Sweden as indicated by a higher diagnostic rate and, despite stricter diagnostic criteria, a higher incidence of UTI in children <2 years of age than previously reported. It is suggested that a high UTI awareness may reduce chronic renal failure because of pyelonephritic renal scarring.