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Most frequent causes of urinary tract infections in children
Lidvana Spahiu1, Virgjina Hasbahta
1Pediatric Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Pristina, Republic of Kosovo. lidvanaspahiu@yahoo.com
Insights
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more common in male children, with E. coli being the primary cause across all age groups. Klebsiella is the second most frequent pathogen identified in pediatric UTIs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a significant health concern in children.
- Understanding the common causative agents and their distribution is crucial for effective treatment and prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the most frequent causes of UTIs in children.
- To analyze the prevalence of UTI pathogens based on gender and age groups.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 299 children diagnosed with UTIs.
- Clinical evaluation and comprehensive urine analysis, including culture and antibiogram.
Main Results:
- Escherichia coli was the predominant pathogen, causing 62.88% of UTIs in children across all age groups.
- Klebsiella was the second most common cause (23.08%), particularly noted in newborns.
- UTIs were more prevalent in males, except in the 7-16 year age group where females predominated.
Conclusions:
- E. coli is the leading cause of pediatric UTIs, followed by Klebsiella.
- Gender distribution of UTIs shows a higher incidence in males, with a notable exception in older children and adolescents.
Aim:
to determine the most frequent causes of urinary tract infection (UTI) amongst children according to gender and age.
Methods:
299 children with urinary tract infections were evaluated. All of the cases were clinically evaluated and quantitative and qualitative examinations of the urine (culture with antibiogram) were done.
Results:
There were 54.58% males and 45.15% females in the research group. Similar distribution was present in age groups: 1-28 days (67.86% male, 32.14% female), 1 month up to 1 year (64.56% male, 35.44% female), 2-6 years (55.29% male, 44.71% female). The only difference was found in the age group of 7-16 years where there were more female patients (56.07% female, 43.93% male). Based on microbiological findings, in 91.3o% of the cases only one species was isolated, and more than one species was isolated in 8.70% of cases. Escherichia coli was the most common cause of urinary tract infection (62.88%), the second most common was Klebsiella (23.080/%), followed by Proteus mirabilis (7.02%), Citrobacter(5.35%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (1.34%) and Candida albicans (0.33%). E. coli was the most frequent causative of UTI amongst children of all ages. In the age group of newborns, E. coli was isolated as the etiological causative of UTI in 57.14% of cases. In the age group ofi month-1 year, E.coli was the most frequent cause of urinary tract infection (60.76%). In the age group of 2-6 years, E.coli was the most frequent cause of urinary tract infection (74.12%). In the age group of 7-16 years, E. coli was isolated in 59.81% of cases. Klebsiella was the second most frequent causative (23.08%) and with a higher incidence in the age group of newborns (42.86%).
Conclusion:
UTI was generally more present in male patients. E. coli was the most frequent cause of UTI in children of all age, while the second most frequent cause of UTI in children was Klebsiella.
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