Urinary tract infections in children - a review

Abstract

Introduction and purpose: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is very common, mostly bacterial infection in childhood. UTI may affect the lower urinary tract or the upper urinary tract. Infection typically require antibiotics for treatment. Brief description of the state of knowledge: The prevalence of urinary tract infection is between 2 and 8% and it is more common in female, infants and uncircumcised male infants. Most paediatric UTIs are caused by Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli (E.coli). Symptoms of this infection are nonspecific and may be confused with signs of other clinical conditions. The most common symptoms are suprapubic pain, back pain, dysuria, urinary frequency and systemic symptoms such as fever, vomiting, lethargy. Antibiotics are the standard treatment for urinary tract infections. Conclusion: This article reviews basic informations, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infection.

Keywords

• urinary tract infection
• uti
• Escherichia coli
• Pyelonephritis
• antibiotic treatment
• nephrology