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Increase in Aminotransferase Levels during Urinary Tract Infections in Children
Ju Yi Park1, Kyung Ok Ko, Jae Woo Lim
1Department of Pediatrics, Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
Insights
Many children with urinary tract infections (UTIs) experience elevated aminotransferase levels. These changes are typically mild, self-limiting, and do not necessitate further testing or treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children.
- Elevated aminotransferase levels can indicate liver injury.
- The relationship between UTIs and aminotransferase levels in pediatric patients requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of elevated aminotransferase levels in children hospitalized with UTIs.
- To identify factors associated with increased aminotransferase levels in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 249 children diagnosed with UTI and admitted to Konyang University Hospital (2007-2011).
- Exclusion of patients with neonatal jaundice or other pre-existing liver conditions.
- Investigation of correlations between aminotransferase levels and antibiotic type, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and causative organisms.
Main Results:
- Younger children with UTIs were more likely to have elevated aminotransferase levels.
- No significant association was found between aminotransferase levels and white blood cell count, platelet count, causative organisms, antibiotic type, or VUR.
- Aminotransferase levels normalized within one month post-discharge in most cases.
Conclusions:
- Elevated aminotransferase levels are common in children with UTIs.
- These elevations are generally mild and resolve spontaneously.
- Routine further investigations and treatments for elevated aminotransferase levels during UTIs are often unnecessary.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of increased aminotransferase levels and to identify associated factors in children admitted to hospital with urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Methods:
The study included children with a diagnosis of UTI who were admitted to the Konyang University Hospital from January 2007 to May 2011. The total number of patients was 249 and the mean age was 15.88±28.21 months. UTI was defined as a positive urine culture (>10(5)/colony forming unit [CFU]) with pyrexia. Patients were treated by intravenous antibiotics, such as ampicillin/sulbactam, aminoglycoside, cephalosporins or vancomycin. Patients with neonatal jaundice or other liver disease were excluded. We investigated the relationship of aminotransferase levels with the type of antibiotic, degree of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and causative organisms.
Results:
Children with increased aminotransferase levels were younger than those with normal levels (p=0.001), but white blood cell count, platelet count, causative organisms, type of antibiotics and presence of VUR were not associated with aminotransferase levels. Aminotransferase levels became normal within 1 month after discharge without special measures, except in 1 case.
Conclusion:
We found that many children with UTI have abnormal aminotransferase levels. In most cases, this change is mild and self-limiting. We conclude that increased aminotransferase level increase during UTI do not require unnecessary tests and excessive treatment.
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