Urinary tract infection in high-risk newborn infants

The prevalence of neonatal urinary tract infection (UTI) was studied in 1,762 high-risk neonates. Symptomatic bacteriuria was found in 1.9% and asymptomatic bacteriuria in 0.5% of these neonates. Male preponderance was 5:1. Clinical manifestations were extremely variable--vomiting, weight loss, and diarrhea being the prominent symptoms. Bacteremia was associated with UTI in six infants. The organisms identified in the urine obtained by suprapubic aspiration were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and Proteus. A mixed infection was found in four patients. Roentgenographic examination of the urinary tract showed abnormalities in 44% of the symptomatic patients. It is conclued that symptomatic high-risk newborn infants should be screened for bacteriuria, and that radiological investigations be preformed in those with proven infection.