Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Assessing Urinary Tract Junction Obstruction Defects by Methylene Blue Dye Injection
Published on: October 12, 2017
Urinary tract infections in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Zeina M Nabhan1, Richard C Rink, Erica A Eugster
1Section of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, Department of Pediatrics, James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202, USA. znabhan@iupui.edu
Insights
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) are similar to the general population. Delaying genital surgery in girls with CAH did not appear to increase UTI risk in this preliminary study.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Urology
- Genetics
Background:
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of genetic disorders affecting the adrenal glands.
- Genital surgery is sometimes performed in girls with CAH to align external genitalia with their internal anatomy.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common concern in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of UTIs in children diagnosed with CAH.
- To explore potential correlations between UTIs and the timing or type of genital reconstructive surgery in female CAH patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for patients diagnosed with CAH up to 15 years of age.
- Administration of a parent questionnaire to gather information on UTI history.
- Analysis of data from 71 patients (41 girls, 30 boys) with classic CAH.
Main Results:
- The overall incidence of UTIs was 12.6% (9 out of 71 patients), with 8 UTIs reported in girls and 1 in a boy.
- Of the 35 girls who underwent feminizing genitoplasty, 7 experienced UTIs post-surgery.
- No statistically significant correlation was identified between the type of genital surgery and UTI occurrence.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of UTIs in children with CAH appears comparable to that in the general pediatric population.
- Preliminary findings suggest that delaying genital surgery in girls with CAH may not elevate the risk of developing UTIs.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and establish definitive clinical guidelines.
Objective:
To investigate the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and to determine whether there was a correlation between UTIs and the timing and type of genital surgery in girls.
Study Design:
Medical records of patients with CAH < or = 15 years were reviewed. A parent questionnaire regarding history of UTIs was completed.
Results:
Seventy-one patients with classic CAH (41 girls, 30 boys) aged 8.3 +/- 4.2 years were identified. Thirty-five (85%) girls had undergone feminizing genitoplasty at 1.1 +/- 0.8 years, while six (15%) had not. History of UTI was reported in nine (12.6%) patients (one boy, eight girls). In seven of the eight girls, genital surgery had been performed and all UTIs occurred after surgery. One UTI was reported in a girl who had not undergone surgery. No correlation was found between UTIs and the type of genital surgery.
Conclusion:
The incidence of UTIs in children with CAH is similar to that in the general population. Although preliminary, our results do not suggest an increased risk of UTIs if surgery is delayed.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Urinary Tract Infection I: Introduction
01:20Disorders of the Urinary System
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common urinary system disorders. They are caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and can spread to the bladder resulting in cystitis. Pyelonephritis is the result of a UTI that has ascended to the level of the...
01:28Urinary Tract Calculi I: Introduction
01:25Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology
01:30Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
01:28Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract