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Urinary tract infections and circumcision. A case-control study
1Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass. 02115.
American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
|March 1, 1989
Summary
Uncircumcised infant boys have a significantly higher risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) compared to circumcised infants. This association holds true across different demographics and is linked to potential anatomical abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Urology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in infants.
- Previous studies suggest a higher UTI rate in uncircumcised infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between noncircumcision and UTIs in infant boys.
- To determine if noncircumcision is a significant risk factor for infant UTIs.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted on infant boys with urine cultures.
- Cases had positive cultures ( > 10^5 organisms/mL); controls had negative cultures ( < 10^3 organisms/mL).
- Data were analyzed considering age, ethnicity, insurance, and culture method.
Main Results:
- All cases (100%) were uncircumcised, compared to 32% of controls.
- Noncircumcision was a significant risk factor for UTIs across all analyzed subgroups.
- Anatomic abnormalities were found in 26% of UTI cases.
Conclusions:
- Noncircumcision is a highly significant risk factor for UTIs in infants up to 12 months.
- The risk associated with noncircumcision is independent of race and socioeconomic status.
- A notable percentage of UTIs in uncircumcised infants are associated with underlying anatomic abnormalities.