Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2025

Assessing Urinary Tract Junction Obstruction Defects by Methylene Blue Dye Injection
06:05

Assessing Urinary Tract Junction Obstruction Defects by Methylene Blue Dye Injection

Published on: October 12, 2017

15.6K

Understanding and Managing Pediatric Urinary Tract Infections in Vesicoureteral Reflux: Insights Into Pathophysiology

Alaa S Alyasi1, Deema Badr Alsaad2, Eman Mohamed Alshammary3

  • 1Pediatrics and Neonatology, Maternal and Child Health Care Center, Tabuk, SAU.

Cureus
|January 21, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Continuous antibiotic prophylaxis for pediatric vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) reduces urinary tract infections (UTIs) but its benefit against kidney scarring is debated. Alternative treatments are emerging.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Urology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) involves urine flowing backward from the bladder to the ureters and kidneys.
  • This condition increases the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney scarring in children.
  • Continuous antibiotic prophylaxis has been a standard treatment to prevent UTIs and renal damage.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically review the evidence for antibiotic prophylaxis in managing pediatric VUR.
  • To evaluate its efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes.
  • To explore future management strategies for VUR.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on antibiotic prophylaxis for VUR.
  • Analysis of data on UTI prevention, kidney scarring, antibiotic resistance, and adverse effects.
  • Discussion of emerging non-antibiotic and surgical interventions.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotic prophylaxis effectively reduces recurrent UTIs in children with VUR, particularly high-grade cases.
  • The benefit of prophylaxis in preventing kidney scarring remains uncertain and controversial.
  • Concerns include antibiotic resistance, side effects, and psychosocial impact on families.

Conclusions:

  • While effective for UTI prevention, the role of continuous antibiotic prophylaxis in VUR management requires reevaluation.
  • Non-antibiotic interventions and selective surgical approaches show promise.
  • Future research should identify optimal candidates for prophylaxis and develop alternative therapies.

Keywords:
continuous antibiotic prophylaxiscost-effectivenesspediatricurinary tract infectionvesicoureteral reflux

More Related Videos

Establishment and Characterization of UTI and CAUTI in a Mouse Model08:40

Establishment and Characterization of UTI and CAUTI in a Mouse Model

Published on: June 23, 2015

20.0K
Transurethral Induction of Mouse Urinary Tract Infection09:24

Transurethral Induction of Mouse Urinary Tract Infection

Published on: August 5, 2010

36.6K

Related Concept Videos

Disorders of the Urinary System01:20

Disorders of the Urinary System

The urinary system is responsible for eliminating waste and excess fluids from the body. However, disorders of the urinary system can arise due to various reasons like infections, stress, age, congenital abnormalities, and lifestyle.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common urinary system disorders. They are caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and can spread to the bladder resulting in cystitis. Pyelonephritis is the result of a UTI that has ascended to the level of the...
229
Ureters01:22

Ureters

The ureters are retroperitoneal tubes located on either side of the vertebral column. They are responsible for transporting urine from each kidney to the urinary bladder. These tubes have thick walls and are approximately 25-30 cm long. Their diameter is around 10 mm at the renal pelvis, gradually narrowing to 1 mm as the ureter obliquely enters the posterior bladder wall through the ureteric orifices. The shape of these orifices is slit-like, which helps to prevent urine backflow toward the...
339
Physiology of Urine Formation01:24

Physiology of Urine Formation

Urine formation is an essential function of the human body. It plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating the volume and composition of body fluids. The kidneys, the primary organs involved in this process, filter blood to remove waste products and excess substances, ultimately producing urine.
Glomerular Filtration
The first stage in urine formation is glomerular filtration. Each kidney contains approximately 1 million nephrons, the functional units of filtration, with a...
2.9K
Urinary Bladder01:23

Urinary Bladder

The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular sac that temporarily stores urine before it is expelled from the body. It can hold approximately 600 mL of urine prior to micturition. The bladder is retroperitoneal and located behind the pubic symphysis in the pelvic floor.
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
348
Peptic Ulcer Disease V: Surgical Management and Nursing Care01:25

Peptic Ulcer Disease V: Surgical Management and Nursing Care

Surgical management and nursing care are crucial in treating Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD). Here is an organized and enhanced overview of the surgical interventions and the associated nursing care for PUD:
Surgical Interventions for Peptic Ulcer Disease
219
Tonsillitis II: Management01:26

Tonsillitis II: Management

This lesson will focus on the different treatment options for managing tonsillitis, which typically depend on the cause and severity.
103