Study of prevalence of urinary tract infection in febrile children less than 5 years of age

Abstract

Background: Fever is the most common reason for children under 5 years of age to visit the OPD. Unlike other foci of infection only little attention has been focussed on identification of UTI in febrile children. Quite often child receives antibiotics empirically without adequate evaluation of UTI. Hence it is essential to identify UTI in febrile children to institute prompt treatment and to reduce the threat of lifelong morbidity. Objective: To determine - 1) the prevalence of UTI in all febrile children, from 2 months to 5 years of age and 2) the validity of urinary tests (urine analysis and urine culture) in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection. Materials and Method: Hospital based prospective study includes 100 children from 2 month to 5 years with febrile illness admitted in the upgraded department of Paediatrics, Patna Medical College & Hospital, Patna. Data related to age, sex, predisposing factors will be noted. Urine samples collected by– 1) Clean midstream catch in children more than 2 years and 2) Bag collection in children less than 2 years. Urine analysis and urine culture has to be done in all these patients.USG abdomen to be done in patients with culture positive UTI. Results & Conclusion: Our present study reveals the overall prevalence rate of UTI as 10%. The prevalence rate in children <1 year of age was highest (4%). All the children with pyuria of > 5 pus cells/HPF of centrifused urine sample were found to have significant growth and hence the association between pyuria >5 pus cells and urine culture is highly significant and hence this test is highly valid.