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Published on: February 23, 2014
Urinary tract infections associated with otitis media in infants and children
Insights
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in children with otitis media. Hematuria and high fever in boys suggest UTI, but urine culture is essential for diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
Background:
- Otitis media is a common childhood infection.
- Urinary tract infections (UTI) can coexist with otitis media.
- Identifying UTI in children with otitis media is clinically important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of UTI in infants and children diagnosed with otitis media.
- To compare host factors and laboratory features between patients with and without UTI.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 106 infants and children with otitis media were screened.
- Urine cultures were performed to detect UTI.
- Patients with and without UTI were compared for clinical and laboratory differences.
Main Results:
- 16% of patients with otitis media had concomitant UTI.
- Patients with UTI showed a higher incidence of hematuria.
- High fever was more prevalent in boys with UTI, but clinical signs were not definitive.
Conclusions:
- Urine culture is the only definitive method for diagnosing UTI in children with otitis media.
- Clinical presentation alone is insufficient to rule out UTI in this population.
Abstract:
One hundred six infants and children with otitis media were screened for the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTI) by urine culture. Seventeen patients (16%) who had UTI were compared with the 80 patients with sterile urine for differences in host factors and laboratory features. The mean age, WBC counts, and ESR values were similar. Patients with UTI-associated otitis media had a higher incidence of hematuria. Prevalence of high (greater than or equal to 103 degrees F) fever was higher among the boys with UTI. However, because of the lack of definite clinical and laboratory clues to determine the presence or absence of UTI, urine culture is the only test to uncover otitis media patients with concomitant UTI.
Related Concept Videos
Urinary Tract Infection I: Introduction
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Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
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Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

