Study of risk factors associated with febrile urinary tract infection in children

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common bacterial infection in children. Even a single confirmed UTI is serious, due to the potential for recurrent UTI, parenchymal damage, hypertension and renal failure. Objective: To find the risk factors associated with febrile UTI in children aged 1 month to 14 years. Method: All children from 1 month to 14 years of age with culture proven febrile (≥101°F) UTI were included in the study. Further evaluation was done based on Indian Society of Paediatric Nephrology guidelines. Demographic data, clinical features and underlying risk factors of UTI were studied and analysed. Results: Out of 79 cases of febrile UTI, majority were boys aged more than 5 years. Escherichia coli was the predominant cause of febrile UTI in 73.4% cases. Among risk factors, improper toilet training practice was present in 73%, recurrent UTI in 23% and a history of catheterization /instrumentation in 14% children. Structural anomalies were found only in 6.3% cases. Conclusion: Improper toilet training practices was commonest risk factor associated with febrile UTI in children aged 1 month to 14 years in our study.