The epidemiology and clinical presentation of urinary tract infections in children younger than 2 years of age

Empirical antibiotics for recurrent urinary tract infections in children

The purpose of this study was to compare antibiotic resistance patterns between first urinary tract infection (UTI) and recurrent UTI groups and to obtain information regarding empirical antibiotic selection for treating recurrent UTI. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 148 children treated for UTIs from January 2009 to June 2016. The patients were divided into two groups: first UTI (N = 148) and recurrent UTI (17 patients and 20 episodes). Results In both groups, Escherichia coli was the most frequent causative organism, accounting for 89.9% and 75.0% in the first and recurrent UTI groups, respectively. When E. coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae was the causative organism, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms were more frequent in the recurrent UTI group (17.6%) than in the first UTI group (14.0%); however, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.684). Cefotaxime was the most frequently used first-line empirical antibiotic in both groups. In the first UTI and recurrent UTI groups, 7.4% and 15.0% of patients were treated with intravenous antibiotics as definitive therapy, respectively (P = 0.250). Fifteen out of 17 patients having a second UTI had different causative organisms or antibiotic susceptibility patterns compared to their previous episode. Conclusions Escherichia coli was the most frequent causative organism in the recurrent UTI group. There were no differences in the proportion of ESBL-producing organisms between the first UTI and recurrent UTI groups. Therefore, when a UTI recurs in children, the antibiotics effective on the most common causative organism might be administered as empirical antibiotics.

Bacterial isolates and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among pediatric patients with urinary tract infections

OBJECTIVE

Urinary tract infection is a common pediatric problem with the potential to produce long-term morbidity. Therefore, appropriate diagnosis and prompt treatment is required. However, studies about magnitude of uropathogenicity and antimicrobial resistance pattern of pediatric urinary tract infection (UTI) are lacking in resource limited countries including Ethiopia. This study was aimed to determine bacterial isolates, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern among pediatric patients with UTI.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross- sectional study was conducted. Pathogenic bacterial isolates were identified by culture and biochemical methods following standard procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates for commonly used antibiotics was done using the standard disc diffusion method on Muller Hinton agar. Associations between dependent and independent variables were measured using chi-square test and within 95% confidence interval. P values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

A total of 310 pediatric patients were included in the study, and 82 (26.45%) bacterial isolates were detected. Gram- negative bacteria were predominant etiologic agents of UTI in this study. E. coli was the most frequently occurring pathogen (n=45; 54.88%) followed by S. aureus and P.aeruginosa (n=8; 9.75% for both), P. vulgaris, P.aeruginosa (n=4; 4.88%, for both) and Enterococcus species (n=3; 3.66%). All K. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis, and K. ozanae straines were 100% resistance to ampicillin, followed by P. aeruginosa (87.5%) and E. coli (69%). While all Gram- positive bacterial isolates were 100% sensitive to ciprofloxacin. Malnutrition, history of catherization and previous history of UTI were independently associated with UTI (p=0.000).

CONCLUSION

There was a high prevalence of uropathogenic bacteria and drug resistance particularly to ampicillin (72%) and tetracycline (37.80%). This condition indicates that antibiotic selection should be based on knowledge of the local prevalence of bacterial organisms and antibiotic sensitivities rather than empirical treatment.

Racial and ethnic differences in the rates of urinary tract infections in febrile infants in the emergency department

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the racial and ethnic differences in rates of urinary tract infections among febrile infants who present to an urban pediatric emergency department.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted using the medical records of an urban pediatric emergency department from the period between 5/2002 and 1/2003. Data were collected from infants aged 1 to 24 months from whom urine cultures were obtained as part of their fever workup. Demographic data were recorded as provided by the parents or caregivers of the patients. Urine culture results were also recorded.

RESULTS

Four hundred and sixty five children had urine cultures performed during the study period and fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Parents characterized the children as white (45%), Hispanic (27%), African American (20%), Asian (3.9%), or others (4.3%). Clinical parameters including the height of fever, age of the patient, and proportion of men were similar between the subjects in each racial and ethnic group. Sixty-four children were diagnosed as having UTI. The overall prevalence of UTI was 14% (95% confidence interval [CI] 11%-17%). Rates of UTI (SD) were as follows: Asian 22% (10%), white 16% (2.4%), Hispanic 16% (3.1%), African American 4.0% (1.9%), and Others 11 % (6.2%). African American infants had a lower rate of UTI (p = 0.007) compared with the general population. The odds ratio (OR) of UTI in white versus African American children and Hispanic versus African American children were 4.4 (95% CI, 1.5 to 12.6) and 4.6 (95% CI, 1.5 to 13.9), respectively. These results were consistent after adjustment for sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Urinary tract infections were common in our study population of racially and ethnically diverse children. Given similar clinical parameters, white and Hispanic children were much more likely to be diagnosed with UTI than African-American children.

Antibiotic resistance trends in paediatric uropathogens

The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of paediatric uropathogens to six of the most common antibiotics in use for urinary tract infections were determined. The bacterial isolates came from the urine of children presenting as outpatients to participating US hospitals between April 2002 and May 2004. Strains of the six most common uropathogens were included in the analysis. Results were stratified by paediatric age group. In total, 11174 female and 1557 male positive cultures were analysed. The overall resistance rates for females and males, respectively, were as follows: ampicillin 44.3% and 44.6%; sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim 24.5% and 36.7%; amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 12.4% and 27.5%; cefazolin 10.9% and 27.1%; ciprofloxacin 0.9% and 2.4%; and nitrofurantoin 4.4% and 11.0%. Uropathogen resistance to commonly used antibiotics in the paediatric population was high.

Screening for vesicoureteral reflux and renal scars in siblings of children with known reflux

The incidence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in the general population is less than 1%, but it is high in families with reflux. The reported prevalence of VUR among siblings of index patients with reflux has ranged from 4.7% to 51%. Reflux carries an increased risk of pyelonephritis and long-term renal impairment. The purpose of this study was to identify the age-related incidence and severity of reflux, and the frequency of associated renal parenchymal damage in siblings of children with reflux in order to assess the use of screening at different ages. Between October 1994 and February 2003, 40 siblings of 34 index patients were screened with direct voiding cystography. 99( m ) technetium (Tc)-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) nuclear renal scans were performed in siblings with VUR to detect renal scarring. The cystograms were interpreted as showing the presence or absence of VUR and the DMSA scan as symmetrical or asymmetrical differential function, with or without renal scarring. Of 40 siblings, 17 had VUR, representing an incidence of 42.5%. The mean age at study entry of the 15 boys and 25 girls was 63 months (range 6 months to 12 years). The majority of siblings with abnormal DMSA scans were asymptomatic. Reflux was unilateral in 12 siblings and bilateral in 5. Of the 17 refluxing siblings (22 refluxing ureters), 7 (41.17%) had a history of symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI). The frequency of VUR was nearly equal in siblings over 6 years and those younger than 6 years. Of the 17 siblings with VUR, 16 had DMSA scintigraphy. Of these, 5 were normal and 11 (68.75%) showed abnormalities (7 asymmetrical differential function and 4 parenchymal defect), which was bilateral in 7 and unilateral in 4. In conclusion, this study confirms a significant overall incidence of VUR and renal parenchymal damage in the siblings of patients with known reflux. The prevalence of reflux in older siblings is similar to that in younger siblings. Our review suggests that all siblings over 6 years should undergo a screening cystogram, even in the absence of urinary tract infection. DMSA scintigraphy of asymptomatic siblings appears to be beneficial in preventing renal injury.

Neonatal genital herpes simplex virus type 1 infection after Jewish ritual circumcision: modern medicine and religious tradition

OBJECTIVE

Genital neonatal herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection was observed in a series of neonates after traditional Jewish ritual circumcision. The objective of this study was to describe neonate genital HSV-1 infection after ritual circumcision and investigate the association between genital HSV-1 after circumcision and the practice of the traditional circumcision.

METHODS

Eight neonates with genital HSV-1 infection after ritual circumcision were identified.

RESULTS

The average interval from circumcision to clinical manifestations was 7.25 +/- 2.5 days. In all cases, the traditional circumciser (the mohel) had performed the ancient custom of orally suctioning the blood after cutting the foreskin (oral metzitzah), which is currently practiced by only a minority of mohels. Six infants received intravenous acyclovir therapy. Four infants had recurrent episodes of genital HSV infection, and 1 developed HSV encephalitis with neurologic sequelae. All four mohels tested for HSV antibodies were seropositive.

CONCLUSION

Ritual Jewish circumcision that includes metzitzah with direct oral-genital contact carries a serious risk for transmission of HSV from mohels to neonates, which can be complicated by protracted or severe infection. Oral metzitzah after ritual circumcision may be hazardous to the neonate.

Urinary tract infections in children younger than 5 years of age: epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, outcomes and prevention

Although the true incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children is difficult to estimate, they are one of the most common bacterial infections seen by clinicians who care for young children. Except for the first 8 to 12 weeks of life, when infection of the urinary tact may be secondary to a haematogenous source, UTI is believed to arise by the ascending route after entry of bacteria via the urethra. Enterobacteriaceae are the most common organisms isolated from uncomplicated UTI. Infection with Staphylococcus aureus is rare in children without in-dwelling catheters or other sources of infection, and coagulase-negative staphylococci and Candida spp. are associated with infections after instrumentation of the urinary tract. The diagnosis of UTI in young children is important as it is a marker for urinary tract abnormalities and, in the newborn, may be associated with bacteraemia. Early diagnosis is critical to preserve renal function of the growing kidney. A urine specimen for culture is necessary to document a UTI in a young child. Prior to culture, urinalysis may be useful to detect findings supporting a presumptive diagnosis of UTI. The goals of the management of UTI in a young child are: (i) prompt diagnosis of concomitant bacteraemia or meningitis, particularly in the infant; (ii) prevention of progressive renal disease by prompt eradication of the bacterial pathogen, identification of abnormalities of the urinary tract and prevention of recurrent infections; and (iii) resolution of the acute symptoms of the infection. Delay in initiation of the antibacterial therapy is associated with an increased risk of renal scarring. The initial choice of antibacterial therapy is based on the knowledge of the predominant pathogens in the patient's age group, antibacterial sensitivity patterns in the practice area, the clinical status of the patient and the opportunity for close follow-up. Imaging studies to detect congenital or acquired abnormalities are recommended following the first UTI in all children aged <6 years. Patients with significant urinary tract abnormalities and/or frequent symptomatic UTI may benefit from prophylactic antibacterials. The main long term consequence of UTI is renal scarring which may lead to hypertension and end-stage renal disease. Prevention of recurrent UTI focuses on detection, and correction if possible, of urinary tract abnormalities. Interventions that have been associated with a decrease in symptomatic UTI in children with a history of recurrent UTI include relief of constipation and voiding dysfunction.

Office laboratory procedures, office economics, parenting and parent education, and urinary tract infection

We again review four areas of interest to office-based pediatricians: office laboratory procedures, office economics, parenting and patient education, and urinary tract infections. Sean Elliott provides an update on the Clinical Laboratories Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and their impact of office practice. Eve Shapiro reviews office economics, focusing on measuring quality of care, use of performance data, costs of new technologies, and the impact of managed care on the medical marketplace. John Walter offers an update on parenting and parent education, with approaches to counseling families about overuse of antibiotics, teen pregnancy, hyperactivity, violence, and asthma. Richard Wahl reviews the recent research on urinary tract infection, with special attention paid to office diagnosis and management, longitudinal studies of children with urinary tract infections, and the controversy surrounding the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Circumcision report.