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Urinary tract infections in preschool children
Jasminka Durmišević-Serdarević1, Smajil Durmišević, Melita Lelić
1Department for Preschool and School Health Care, Primary Health Care Center Zenica, ²Cantonal Public Health Institute Zenica; Zenica, ³School of Medicine, Sarajevo University, Sarajevo, 4School of Health Care and Nursing, 'Vitez' University Travnik; Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Insights
Significant bacteriuria affects 6.5% of children under six, with E. coli being the most common cause. Early detection of bacteriuria is crucial to prevent potential kidney damage in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Urology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children can be asymptomatic and lead to severe renal complications if untreated.
- Identifying etiological agents and urinary system abnormalities is vital for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of significant bacteriuria in children under six.
- To identify the causative agents of significant bacteriuria.
- To assess the incidence of urinary system anatomical abnormalities in affected children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of hospital records and discharge letters from 2007-2009.
- Inclusion of 5379 children younger than six years.
- Data collection from health centers in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Main Results:
- Significant bacteriuria was detected in 6.5% of the studied children (352/5379).
- Escherichia coli was the most frequent pathogen (48.3%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (17.3%).
- Recurrent bacteriuria was observed in 26.1% of cases, with 16.4% showing abnormal ultrasound findings.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriuria in children often presents without symptoms, necessitating proactive detection.
- Untreated UTIs can result in impaired renal function, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis.
- Prompt identification of bacteriuria and associated abnormalities is critical for preventing long-term kidney damage.
Aim:
To determine the prevalence and etiological agents of significant bakteriuria in children younger than six, as well as the incidence of anatomical abnormalities of the urinary system in children with established significant bakteriuria.
Methods:
Data were collected from hospital records of children treated at the Department for Preschool and School Health Care, the Primary Health Care Center Zenica and from discharge letters for children hospitalized at the Department of Pediatrics, Cantonal Hospital Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period 2007-2009.
Results:
A total of 5379 children were included in the study. Significant bacteriuria was present in 352 (6.5%) children, among those 114 (32.4%) were boys and 238(67.6%) girls. Recidivism of significant bakteriuria was found in 92 children (26.1%), and abnormal ultrasound findings in 58 (16.4%) children. The most common isolated pathogens were E. coli, in 170 (48.3%), K. pneumoniae, in 61 (17.3%), P. mirabilis in 53 (15%), and P. vulgaris, in 12 (34.1%) cases.
Conclusion:
As UTIs in children are often symptomless and unrecognizable, and an untreated UTI can lead to subsequent impairment of renal function, it is very important to detect bakteriuria in children.
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