Management of urinary tract infection

Summary 

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an important cause of febrile illness in children and its recognition and subsequent management should be carried out effectively if we are to try and prevent the potential long-term sequelae of renal scarring, hypertension and renal failure. The steps in diagnosis include recognition of UTI as a possible cause of illness, and collection of an adequate urine specimen to enable the diagnosis to be confirmed. Antibiotic treatment should be started promptly, particularly in young children, and follow-up investigations, appropriate to the age of the child, should then be undertaken. Investigations are geared towards identifying renal parenchymal damage and renal tract abnormalities predisposing to UTI and pyelonephritis. Children found to have renal scarring require follow-up with respect to blood pressure and possible renal failure, if scarring is bilateral.

Keywords: Urinary tract infections, Child, Infant, Diagnosis, Urinalysis, Radionuclide imaging