Urinary Tract Infection in Childhood

Abstract

Many problems surround the subject of urinary tract infection in childhood. Urine samples from 400 paediatric outpatients were examined for bacteriuria along with microscopic assessment of pyuria. Pyuria proved of little value in reliably detecting or excluding bacteriuria. An overall prevalence of urinary tract infection of 3.5% was shown. In malnourished children, the incidence was 12.1%. Radiology contrast studies were done in 8 patients and abnormality detected in 4 patients. Bacteriuria screening should be routinely done in high risk groups. Reliable interpretation of culture results requires attention to scrupulous specimen collection. Suprapubic aspiration of bladder is a safe, easy and useful method of obtaining urine and should be done routinely in the high risk group.