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[Characteristic features of urinary tract infection in malnourished children]
Magdalena Stârcea1, Mihaela Munteanu, O Brumariu
1Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie Gr.T. Popa Iaşi Facultatea de Medicină, Disciplina de Pediatrie.
Insights
Malnourished children aged 0-3 years face a higher risk of urinary tract infections (UTI). Early diagnosis and treatment of UTI are crucial for nutritional recovery and preventing severe outcomes in these vulnerable children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Nutrition
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in young children.
- Malnutrition is a potential risk factor for infections.
- Understanding the link between UTI and malnutrition is vital for pediatric care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between malnutrition and urinary tract infections in children aged 0-3 years.
- To compare the characteristics and outcomes of UTI in malnourished versus eutrophic children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 298 children (0-3 years) with UTI.
- Comparison of 61 malnourished children with 237 eutrophic children.
- Application of statistical methods to analyze risk and outcomes.
Main Results:
- Malnutrition significantly increases the relative risk of UTI (predictive positive value 72.5%).
- Malnourished children had a two-fold higher incidence of urinary tract malformations.
- Escherichia coli, Proteus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were common pathogens, with opportunistic agents and antibiotic resistance more prevalent in malnourished children.
Conclusions:
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment of UTI in malnourished children are essential for nutritional rehabilitation.
- Addressing malnutrition can help prevent severe consequences associated with UTI.
- This study highlights the critical interplay between nutritional status and infection in pediatric patients.
Unlabelled:
The aim of this study is to prove a relationship between urinary tract infection and malnutrition in children 0-3 years old, hospitalized in the IVI Pediatric Clinic, Hospital St. Mary Iaşi, between January 2000 and December 2004.
Material And Methods:
We have made a retrospective study for 298 infant and young children with urinary tract infection, 237 eutrophic and 61 malnourished. We studied comparatively the both groups with urinary tract infection (UTI), and we applied statistic methods for results.
Results:
The statistic methods prove that relative risk for UTI increases in malnutrition, predictive positive value is 72.5%. The clinical manifestation is similar in malnourished and eutrophic, but many co morbidities were associated with dystrophic status. Malformation of urinary tract was associate two times more in malnourished child. The etiology of infection was dominated by Escherichia coli, Proteus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In malnourished children 5% of UTI was determinate by opportunist etiological agents like: Enterobacter, Enterococcus, Acinetobacter. More frequently, bacterium develops resistance of antibiotics like amino-penicilina, Trimethoprim and Cephalosporin.
Conclusion:
Accurate and fast diagnosis and treatment of UTI in infant and child with malnutrition is the best way for nutritional rehabilitation and prevention of serious consequence.
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