Urinary tract infection in sexually abused children

Because urinary tract infections have been considered to be related to sexual abuse and proposed as an indicator of sexual abuse, a group of children reported as suspected victims of sexual abuse was studied. Clean-catch urine specimens were obtained at the time of their initial medical evaluations for sexual abuse. Results indicated that urinary tract infections were not present in this group of sexually abused children at rates substantially higher than the general population. The findings do not support routine screening of sexually abused children for urinary tract infection, and suggest that further study is indicated if urinary tract infection is to be considered an indicator of abuse.