Krishnan C1, Gireeshan V. K2, Nimmi E. J3, Sasidharanpillai Sabitha4, Vimalraj A. N5, Biju George6
BACKGROUND
Urinary tract infection is a common problem in children. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment is very important for preventing its complications like renal parenchymal disease. Emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria has made treatment of urinary tract infection a challenge in children.
The aim of the study is to determine the clinico-bacteriological profile of urinary tract infections in children and resistance pattern of uropathogens.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted in children ≤12 years with suspected urinary tract infections from October 2011 to February 2012 in a tertiary care centre. Urine samples were collected for urinalysis and culture. Antibiotic susceptibility test was performed as per the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.
RESULTS
Out of 550 children studied significant bacteriuria detected in 90 (16.4%) cases. Males constituted 60% and females 40%. Infants (31.2%), 1-5 years (35.5%) and 5-12 years (33.3%) were the age distribution. Fever was present in 93.4% and specific urinary symptoms in 48.9% children. Blood culture was positive in 4.8%. E. coli (57.8%), Klebsiella spp. (22.3%), Proteus (6.7%), Pseudomonas spp. (6.7%), Enterobacter (4.4%) and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (2.2%) were the uropathogens. Multidrug-resistant isolates were 65.6%. Sensitivity and specificity of pyuria was 71.2% and 76.6%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Urinary tract infection should be ruled out in all febrile children with no obvious focus of infection. MDR uropathogens should be considered while initiating treatment in children with UTI.
