Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
Assessing Urinary Tract Junction Obstruction Defects by Methylene Blue Dye Injection
Published on: October 12, 2017
Staphylococcus aureus urinary tract infections in children are associated with urinary tract abnormalities and
1Pediatric Department and Infectious Diseases Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center Affiliated with Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel, orlimegged@yahoo.com.
Insights
Staphylococcus aureus urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children are rare but associated with significantly higher rates of urinary tract abnormalities. Prompt investigation for structural anomalies is crucial when S. aureus UTI is diagnosed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Urology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus is an infrequent cause of pediatric urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Limited data exists on urinary tract malformations in children experiencing S. aureus UTIs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of urinary tract malformations in children diagnosed with S. aureus UTI.
- To compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of S. aureus UTIs with those caused by Escherichia coli in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for children (0-16 years) with S. aureus UTI from 2001-2013.
- Inclusion of children with Escherichia coli UTI as controls for comparison.
- Analysis of demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, including imaging and voiding cystourethrogram findings.
Main Results:
- S. aureus caused UTI in 26 children, with six cases of bacteremia.
- Children with S. aureus UTI showed significantly higher rates of abnormal ultrasound findings (77% vs. 22%) compared to E. coli UTI.
- Abnormal voiding cystourethrogram (53% vs. 23%) and vesicoureteral reflux (50% vs. 23%) were more frequent in the S. aureus group.
- Hospitalization duration was longer for S. aureus UTI patients (median 8 days vs. 2.3 days).
Conclusions:
- Staphylococcus aureus represents an uncommon urinary pathogen in pediatric populations.
- A diagnosis of S. aureus UTI in children warrants a comprehensive evaluation for underlying urinary tract abnormalities.
Background:
Staphylococcus aureus is an uncommon cause of pediatric urinary tract infection (UTI). Data regarding urinary tract malformations in children with S. aureus UTI is limited.
Methods:
The medical records of all children aged 0 to 16 years at Shaare Zedek Medical Center between 2001 and 2013 and who were diagnosed with S. aureus UTI were reviewed for demographic, clinical, and laboratory data. Patients with Escherichia coli UTIs during the same period were included as controls.
Results:
S. aureus was the cause of UTI in 26 children, of whom six were bacteremic. Compared to children with E. coli UTI, children with S. aureus had higher rates of abnormal findings in ultrasound (77 vs. 22%; p < 0.001). Similarly, more patients with S. aureus UTI had abnormal voiding cystourethrogram (53 vs. 23%; p < 0.001) or vesicoureteral reflux (50 vs. 23%; p < 0.001). The median duration of hospitalization for patients with S. aureus UTI was significantly longer than for patients with E. coli UTI (8 vs. 2.3 days; p = 0.0003).
Conclusions:
S. aureus is an uncommon urinary pathogen among children. The finding of S. aureus UTI requires thorough search for urinary abnormalities.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Urinary Tract Infection I: Introduction
01:28Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract
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...
01:25Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections
01:30Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care