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Updated: Nov 6, 2025
An In Vitro Bladder Model of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection
Published on: June 24, 2025
Pathogen distribution and risk factors for urinary tract infection in infants and young children with retained
Jianfeng Wang1,2, Yu Cao3, Li Zhang1,2
1Affiliated Foshan Maternal and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan, China.
Insights
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in young patients with double-J catheters (DJCs). Long-term catheter use, male sex, and bilateral DJCs increase UTI risk, primarily caused by Gram-negative bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Device Infections
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) pose a significant risk in pediatric patients with indwelling devices.
- Double-J catheters (DJCs) are commonly used in children but can be associated with complications like UTIs.
- Understanding the specific pathogens and risk factors is crucial for effective management and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the causative pathogens of UTIs in infants and young children with retained double-J catheters (DJCs).
- To determine the potential risk factors associated with the development of UTIs in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis was conducted on 107 infants and young children with DJCs.
- Patients were categorized into infection (n=30) and non-infection (n=77) groups based on UTI presence.
- Pathogen species, characteristics, and patient clinical features were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Gram-negative bacilli, particularly *Escherichia coli* (38.5%), were the most frequent pathogens (69.2%).
- Gram-positive cocci, notably *Enterococcus faecalis* (10.3%), were the second most common (28.2%).
- Significant risk factors for UTI included long-term catheter retention (OR=2.514), male sex (OR=2.966), and bilateral DJC retention (OR=0.309).
Conclusions:
- Infants and young children with DJCs are susceptible to UTIs, predominantly caused by Gram-negative bacilli.
- Long-term catheter retention, male gender, and bilateral DJC placement are identified as key risk factors for UTIs in this cohort.
- These findings underscore the importance of vigilant monitoring and potentially tailored prophylactic strategies in pediatric patients with DJCs.
Objectives:
To investigate the pathogens and potential risk factors for urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients with retained double-J catheters (DJCs).
Methods:
In total, 107 infants and young children with DJCs were included in this retrospective analysis. Patients were included in the infection group (n = 30) or non-infection group (n = 77), according to UTI presence or absence. The species and characteristics of pathogens were investigated, and the clinical features of the patients were recorded for further analysis.
Results:
Gram-negative bacilli were the most common causative pathogens (69.2%), among which Escherichia coli was most frequent (38.5%). The second most common causative pathogens were Gram-positive cocci (28.2%), among which Enterococcus faecalis was most frequent (10.3%). UTIs among patients in this study were associated with the following factors: catheter retention (long-term) (odds ratio [OR] = 2.514, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.176-5.373), sex (male) (OR = 2.966, 95% CI = 1.032-8.529), DJC retention (long-term) (OR = 1.869, 95% CI = 1.194-2.926), and DJC number (unilateral) (OR = 0.309, 95% CI = 0.103-0.922).
Conclusions:
Infants and young children with DJCs were likely to experience UTIs, mainly caused by Gram-negative bacilli. Long-term catheter retention or DJC retention, male sex, and bilateral DJC retention were risk factors for UTI.
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