Urinary tract in schoolgirls with covert bacteriuria

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nephrology
• Urology
• Public Health Screening

Background:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children.
• Early detection of UTIs can prevent long-term kidney damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of urinary tract abnormalities in primary schoolgirls with significant bacteriuria.
• To investigate the relationship between bacteriuria, pyelonephritis, and vesicoureteric reflux.

Main Methods:

• Screening 16,800 primary schoolgirls (aged 4-12) for significant bacteriuria.
• Performing intravenous urography and micturating cystography on 246 girls with bacteriuria.

Main Results:

• Significant bacteriuria was detected in 1.7% of girls.
• 47% of these girls had abnormal urinary tracts.
• Pyelonephritis (with or without reflux) was found in 26%, and reflux without renal abnormality in 16%.

Conclusions:

• A substantial proportion of schoolgirls with asymptomatic bacteriuria have underlying urinary tract abnormalities.
• Pyelonephritis and vesicoureteric reflux are common findings, independent of age.
• Kidney size appears normal in the absence of pyelonephritic scars, even with reflux.