[Urinary tract infections in children]

Updated Italian recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of the first febrile urinary tract infection in young children

AIM

Our aim was to update the recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of the first febrile urinary tract infection in young children, which were endorsed in 2012 by the Italian Society of Pediatric Nephrology.

METHODS

The Italian recommendations were revised on the basis of a review of the literature published from 2012 to October 2018. We also carried out an ad hoc evaluation of the risk factors to identify children with high-grade vesicoureteral reflux or renal scarring, which were published in the previous recommendations. When evidence was not available, the working group held extensive discussions, during various meetings and through email exchanges.

RESULTS

Four major modifications have been introduced. The method for collecting urine for culture and its interpretation has been re-evaluated. We have reformulated the algorithm that guides clinical decisions to proceed with voiding cystourethrography. The suggested antibiotics have been revised, and we have recommended further restrictions of the use of antibiotic prophylaxis.

CONCLUSION

These updated recommendations have now been endorsed by the Italian Society of Pediatric Nephrology and the Italian Society for Pediatric Infectivology. They can also be used to compare other recommendations that are available, as a worldwide consensus in this area is still lacking.

[Epidemiological and bacteriological characteristics of uropathogen bacteria isolated in a pediatric environment]

Urinary tract infection (UTI) in children is a grave pathology, which requires a fast and effective care. Bacteriological and epidemiological data play a determining role in patient's care. We report a retrospective study, which spreads out from January 1st till August 31st, 2009, having concerned hospitalized children for urinary infection in pediatrics service of Farhat Hached teaching hospital in Sousse. Our series contained 51 children with a sex ratio of 0.76, an average age of 32 months. The majority of cases was pyelonephritis (94.1%). A pathology is associated with the urinary infection in 41.2%. Three cases of vesico-ureteral reflux were noted. The diagnosis of urinary infection was confirmed by cytobacteriological exam of urine (CBEU). Enterobacteriacea were isolated in 96.1%. Escherichia coli remains the most often isolated (80.4%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.8%) then by Proteus mirabilis (5.9%). E. coli was resistant to amoxicillin in 78% of cases, to the association amoxicillin-clavulanic acid in 64,8%, to cephalosporins of 3(rd) generation (C3G) in 5% and to cotrimoxazole in 51%. No K. pneumoniae or P. mirabilis strain was resistant to C3G. UTI in children is always an indication for CBEU realization at first intention. The results of this exam are very important considering the diversity of the responsible bacteria and the growing frequency of acquired antibiotic resistance.