Urinary tract infections in childhood: an update

Although controversies remain regarding the definition, diagnosis, and management of urinary tract infections, such infections can pose a major risk to a child's well-being. Bacteriuria or recurrent urinary tract infections often pose difficult management problems. Symptomatic and asymptomatic bacteriuria during infancy are generally characterized by a benign outcome. In some children repeated episodes and, possibly, renal scarring result. The prognosis in young boys may be guarded if neonatal bacteriuria, with or without symptoms, occurs in the presence of anatomic defects. Although a variety of pathogens have been identified as causing urinary tract infections, Enterobacteriaceae are usually the cause of initial uncomplicated lower tract infections. Accepted therapy for such infections is reviewed, as are the combination therapies used for hospitalized patients with upper tract infections. An investigation of piperacillin, a new, extended-spectrum acylaminopenicillin, raises the hope that it may provide effective monotherapy for upper tract infections. The criteria for selecting patients who require radiologic evaluation in the management of urinary tract infections are reviewed.