Related Experiment Videos
Incidence of urinary tract infection in an inner-city outpatient population
C K Mitchell1, S M Franco, R L Vogel
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, Ky, USA.
Insights
Premature infants face a higher risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) persisting beyond the newborn period. This study confirms a significant association between prematurity and bacteriuria risk in the first year of life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
- Neonatology
Background:
- Premature neonates exhibit an elevated susceptibility to urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- The persistence of UTI risk in premature infants after the neonatal period requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the incidence and persistence of urinary tract infections in children, with a focus on the impact of prematurity.
- To determine if the increased risk of UTIs in premature infants extends beyond the newborn stage.
Main Methods:
- A 4-year retrospective study evaluated 13,683 urinalysis samples from children aged 1 month to 12 years.
- Patients were classified as premature (<36 weeks' gestational age) or term.
- Urine cultures were performed on samples with abnormal urinalysis results to identify bacteriuria.
Main Results:
- The incidence of bacteriuria was significantly higher in premature infants (0.9%) compared to term infants (0.1%).
- Of 40 children with bacteriuria, 85 episodes occurred, with 44% being symptomatic.
- Prematurity was significantly associated with bacteriuria persisting through the first year of life.
Conclusions:
- Prematurity is a significant risk factor for bacteriuria that persists into the first year of life.
- The findings highlight the ongoing vulnerability of premature infants to urinary tract infections.
Abstract:
Premature neonates have been shown to be at increased risk for the development of urinary tract infections. To determine whether this risk persists after the newborn period, we evaluated the incidence of urinary tract infection in children attending an inner-city clinic during a 4-year period. Patients were categorized as premature if born at < 36 weeks' gestational age. Urinalyses were done on 13,683 samples obtained at ages 1, 6, and 12 months and yearly from 2 through 12 years for screening or to evaluate symptoms. The urinalysis had abnormal results in 17%, but only 3.6% of these subsequently had positive urine culture results. Forty children had 85 episodes of bacteriuria, with 37 (44%) of the cases associated with symptoms. The incidence of bacteriuria was 0.9% and 0.1% in premature and term infants, respectively (p < 0.0001). All seven male children had the initial infection in the first year of life. We found a significant association between prematurity and the risk for bacteriuria persisting through the first year of life.