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[Value of reagent strips in screening urinary infection in children]
Lamia Thabet1, Emna Siala, Olfa Kaabachi
1Laboratoire de Bactériologie, Hôpital d'Enfants de Tunis.
Insights
Rapid tests effectively screen childhood urinary tract infections (UTIs) with high predictive value. Urine culture is recommended alongside rapid tests when clinical symptoms are present.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Microbiology
- Diagnostic Testing
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children.
- Accurate and rapid diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment.
- Traditional urine culture can be time-consuming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the role of rapid diagnostic tests in screening pediatric UTIs.
- To determine the predictive value of leukocyte and nitrite tests in children.
- To assess the utility of rapid tests as a primary screening tool.
Main Methods:
- Collection of 572 urine samples from pediatric outpatients (July-December 1998).
- Analysis of samples using rapid tests (leukocytes, nitrites) and urine culture.
- Calculation of predictive values for rapid test results.
Main Results:
- Only 12.5% of samples were culture-positive for UTI.
- Rapid tests for leukocytes or nitrites showed a 97.2% predictive value.
- Rapid tests demonstrated significant utility in screening for pediatric UTIs.
Conclusions:
- Rapid tests are valuable for screening childhood urinary tract infections.
- Combining rapid tests with urine culture is advisable when clinical symptoms are evident.
- This approach can aid in timely UTI diagnosis and management in pediatric patients.
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to specify the role of rapid tests in the screening of childhood urinary tract infection. During the period between july to december 1998, 572 urinary samples were collected from pediatric out-patient in Hôpital d'Enfants de Tunis and aged from 1 month to 15 years. Only 75 samples (12.5%) were culture positive. The predictive value of leucocytes or nitrites test was 97.2%. These results allowed the use of rapid test in the screening of urinary tract infection in children. However, if clinical symptoms are present, the culture of urine must be associated to the rapid test.