Frequency of Urinary Tract Infection among Febrile Pediatric Thalassemic Patients in Babylon Hereditary Blood Disease Center in Babylon Governorate / Iraq

Abstract

Background: There is an increased risk of infections in patients with thalassemia compared to general population including urinary tract infections (UTI). The susceptibility to infections in thalassemia arises from iron overload, transfusion therapy, splenectomy, zinc deficiency &disease itself. all these changes inherent to the pathological process which can interfere with the immune systems Aims of study: The study was carried out to determine the frequency of urinary tract infection among thalassemic patients, its correlation to risk factors including vaccination, splenectomy, iron overload, Hb level and to determine microorganism causing urinary tract infection among thalassemic patients and control group. Methods: A case control study was carried out at the Babylon hereditary blood disease center in Babylon Maternity and Children Teaching Hospital in Hilla / Iraq from March to October 2018 among 100 febrile thalassemic patients as patients group , comparison to 100 febrile non thalassemic patients as control group with age ranging between 6 months-15 years. Urine exam & culture, serum ferritin, Hb, C-reactive protein, ESR were sent for all patients. Results: The current study has revealed that 14 % of thalassemic patients developed UTI, in comparison to 5% in non thalassaemic patients .The infection is more among those with low Hb, incomplete vaccination, splenectomized patients but has no relation to gender &type of thalassemia and E. coli was the commonest microorganism among both group. Conclusion: This study revealed that the frequency of UTI among febrile thalassemic patients is 14 %, its increased among splenectomized patients, incomplete vaccination and iron overload.