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Why Are Children With Bronchiolitis At Risk Of Urinary Tract Infections?
1Department of Pediatrics, Section of Academic General Pediatrics, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
Insights
Acute bronchiolitis in children may increase the risk of secondary urinary tract infections (UTIs). Further research is needed to understand the link between viral respiratory illness and UTIs in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric infectious diseases
- Virology
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Viral respiratory infections are common in children.
- Secondary serious bacterial infections (SBIs) are a concern in children with acute bronchiolitis.
- Studies suggest a link between acute bronchiolitis and SBIs, including urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To update current evidence on the risk of UTIs in children with acute bronchiolitis.
- To review potential pathophysiology linking viral respiratory illness and secondary bacterial infections.
Main Methods:
- Review of published clinical studies on acute bronchiolitis and secondary infections.
- Discussion of potential mechanisms for virus-induced UTIs.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests an association between acute bronchiolitis and secondary UTIs in children.
- The exact mechanism for this association remains unclear.
Conclusions:
- The risk of secondary UTIs in children with acute bronchiolitis warrants further investigation.
- Understanding the pathophysiology is crucial for clinical management and prevention strategies.
Abstract:
Viral respiratory infections are frequently eliminated from human bodies without any sequelae. Secondary serious bacterial infection (SBI) in children with acute bronchiolitis has been an apprehension expressed by health care providers. Several published studies have shown an association between acute bronchiolitis and secondary bacterial infection, including urinary tract infections (UTI). However, the proposed mechanism by which a virus can induce UTIs is not yet known. The aim of this commentary is to update the current evidence of risk of UTI in children with bronchiolitis. We present several clinical studies related to the topic as well as a brief review of the potential pathophysiology of secondary infections that could present with viral respiratory illness.
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