[Pyelonephritis in children--a retrospective study].

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common bacterial infection in childhood, sometimes associated with urological malformations and, in a few cases, causing permanent renal damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of children with UTI first time admitted to Ullevål Hospital during the period 1988-97. All medical records with diagnoses related to the urinary tract were investigated. Criteria for inclusion were bacteriuria and temperature > or = 38.5 degrees C in children over one year of age, and bacteriuria below one year of age. RESULTS: Age, sex, symptoms, urine sampling method, medical treatment and radiological investigations were evaluated. 180 children were included, (38% boys, 62% girls), 87% of the boys were referred during this first year of life. Fever as sole symptom was found in one of six. Urinary tract related symptoms were rare. Urine sampling was performed by suprapubic aspiration in only 7%, and was not specified in half of the samples. Imaging evaluation was performed in almost all children. More than half of the evaluated children had one or more abnormalities, vesicoureteric reflux being the most frequent. INTERPRETATION: In our material we find a high frequency of urological malformations. Better routines for urine sampling and evaluation of long term complications are suggested.