Cranberry Products for the Prophylaxis of Urinary Tract Infections in Pediatric Patients
Spencer H Durham1, Pamela L Stamm2, Lea S Eiland2
1Auburn University Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn, AL, USA durhash@auburn.edu.
Insights
Cranberry products effectively prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in healthy children and show promise for those with urogenital abnormalities. Dosing recommendations require further research.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children.
- Preventive strategies for pediatric UTIs are crucial.
- Cranberry products are explored for UTI prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing data on cranberry product use for preventing UTIs in pediatric patients.
- To assess the efficacy of cranberry for UTI prevention in different pediatric groups.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of Medline (1966-2015).
- Keywords included 'pediatrics,' 'children,' 'cranberry,' 'cranberry juice,' and 'urinary tract infections.'
- Analysis of 8 clinical trials, including those in healthy children and those with urogenital abnormalities.
Main Results:
- Cranberry use reduced UTIs and antibiotic days in healthy children.
- Results were mixed in children with urogenital abnormalities, but efficacy was comparable to antibiotics (cefaclor, trimethoprim).
- Varied dosing and frequencies across studies limit specific recommendations.
Conclusions:
- Cranberry is effective for preventing UTIs in healthy children.
- Cranberry shows comparable efficacy to antibiotics in children with urogenital abnormalities.
- Further large-scale, well-designed trials are needed to establish optimal cranberry dosing and frequency.
Objective:
To evaluate the existing data regarding the use of cranberry products for the prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in pediatric patients.
Data Sources:
A literature search of Medline databases from 1966 to June 2015 was conducted.
Study Selection And Data Extraction:
The databases were searched using the terms "pediatrics," "children," "cranberry," "cranberry juice," and "urinary tract infections." The identified trials were then searched for additional references applicable to this topic.
Data Synthesis:
A total of 8 clinical trials were identified that examined the use of cranberry products, mostly juice, for the prevention of UTIs in children. Three trials examined the use in otherwise healthy children. Five trials examined the use in pediatric patients with underlying urogenital abnormalities of which 2 compared cranberry to antibiotics. In healthy pediatric patients, cranberry use was associated with a reduction in the overall number of UTIs and a decrease in the number of antibiotic days per year for UTI treatment. In patients with urogenital abnormalities, results were conflicting, with some studies showing no reduction in UTIs compared with placebo, but others demonstrating a significant reduction. However, cranberry products had similar efficacy when compared with both cefaclor and trimethoprim. All studies used a wide variety of doses and frequencies of cranberry, making specific product recommendations difficult.
Conclusions:
Cranberry appears effective for the prevention of UTIs in otherwise healthy children and is at least as effective as antibiotics in children with underlying urogenital abnormalities. However, recommendations for cranberry dosing and frequency cannot be confidently made at this time. Larger, well-designed trials are recommended.
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