Clinical spectrum of urinary tract infection in children

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common in children presenting with non-specific symptoms, often undiagnosed and managed with indiscriminate antibiotics. We made an attempt to study the clinico-epidemiological and microbiological profile in children presenting with UTI. Aim of the study was to analyze the clinico-epidemiological and microbiological profile in children upto 5 years of age presenting with UTI. In this prospective study, we analyzed the clinical presentation, antibiotic sensitivity pattern and outcome of children with UTI. Children of age group up to 5 years, with culture positive UTI was taken. Total of 101 children presented with culture positive UTI. 47 were males and 54 females. 21 were neonates and 80 were older children. Neonates mainly presented with failure to thrive, prolonged jaundice and lethargy with poor suck whereas older children presented mainly with fever, dysuria, abdominal pain and vomiting. E coli was the commonest offending agent followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis. Antibiotic resistance was least with Amikacin, followed by Colistin, Iimipenem, Meropenem, Levofloxacin, Piperacillin/Tazobactum and Ceftriaxone. Vesico-ureteric reflux (03) and Pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (03) were the structural renal anomaly detected on further evaluation of these babies. Hence, to conclude, UTI in children is not uncommon. Children often present with non-specific symptoms, and a high index of suspicion is warranted for its diagnosis. Urine culture is the gold standard of diagnosis. All children must further be evaluated for associated structural renal anomaly and provided appropriate therapy so as to prevent long term renal scarring. [J Med Allied Sci. 2022; 12(2):38-42]