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Urinary tract infections among adolescents
Andrea E Bonny1, Ben H Brouhard
1Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. abonny@metrohealth.org
Adolescent Medicine Clinics
|April 23, 2005
Summary
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in adolescent females and may indicate sexual debut. Clinicians should suspect sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in adolescents with urinary symptoms due to overlapping signs.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Adolescent Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are prevalent in adolescent females, often uncomplicated.
- UTIs in this demographic can be indicative of sexual debut.
- Adolescent males also experience UTIs, frequently without underlying urinary tract abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of UTIs in adolescents.
- To emphasize the need for considering sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in adolescent urinary symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Review of UTI prevalence and characteristics in adolescents.
- Analysis of potential underlying causes and associated conditions.
Main Results:
- Most adolescent female UTIs are uncomplicated and not linked to anatomical issues.
- UTIs in adolescent females are often associated with sexual debut.
- A notable proportion of UTIs in adolescent males lack underlying urinary anomalies.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for STIs in adolescents presenting with urinary symptoms.
- Symptomatic overlap between UTIs and STIs necessitates careful differential diagnosis in adolescents.