Study of urinary tract infection in children in one health district.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the number of children who had urine specimens sent for culture, who had infections or sterile pyuria, and who were investigated further. To relate the laboratory findings to the results of imaging.

DESIGN: One year survey of urine specimens submitted to a laboratory; review of previous and subsequent laboratory reports; review of the findings of imaging of the urinary tract.

SETTING: Portsmouth and South East Hampshire health district.

SUBJECTS: An estimated population of 89,086 children aged 12 years or under.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Urine bacterial count and results of imaging.

RESULTS: 12,551 urine specimens were submitted from 7450 children, 3138 boys and 4312 girls. 2238 children had infection or sterile pyuria at least once during the study (13.9/1000 boys, 37/1000 girls). 996 (45%) of the children with infection or sterile pyuria underwent some form of imaging. 128 children who had infection or sterile pyuria were already known to have urinary tract abnormalities and 114 children had newly identified abnormalities (1.0/1000 boys, 1.5/1000 girls). 50 (44%) of the children with newly detected abnormalities had no pyuria and 48 (42%) had bacterial counts below 10(8)/l. Eight children who had sterile pyuria on presentation were found to have abnormalities on imaging.

CONCLUSIONS: Urinary tract infection is much commoner in children than is widely believed. Low bacterial counts, the absence of pyuria, or a finding of sterile pyuria should not be disregarded.