Prevalence of bacteriuria in febrile infants. 1993

V R Dharnidharka, and P W Kandoth
Department of Pediatrics, T.N. Medical College, Bombay.

Urine samples from 129 admitted febrile infants were collected using the suprapubic aspiration technique, and subjected to routine urinalysis, culture, and antibiotic sensitivity testing. Most of the infants suffered from respiratory tract infections (n = 80) and gastroenteritis (n = 25). Sixty nine patients were male and sixty female. In all, 7 patients had positive cultures (5.4%), indicating a high yield (> 5%). Six of these were female and occurred in patients with gastroenteritis (p < 0.05 for both by chi 2 and Z test). Four patients showed pus cells and organisms on smear, and all of them were culture positive. Another three had only pus cells, but were also culture positive. One patient each, who had pus cells only or organisms only on smear had no growth on culture. E. coli was grown in 6 of these cases, and Klebsiella in one. All cultures were sensitive to ciprofloxacin. Variable sensitivity was seen with gentamicin, streptomycin, and furadantin. The organisms were uniformly resistant to ampicillin and chloramphenicol. The procedure of suprapubic aspiration was safe with no complications. Our findings indicate that bacteriuria is not uncommon in febrile infants even with clinical evidence of other illnesses and that female children, especially those with gastroenteritis, are at most risk. Routine urine cultures in such patients would appear justified.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007223 Infant A child between 1 and 23 months of age. Infants
D007231 Infant, Newborn An infant during the first 28 days after birth. Neonate,Newborns,Infants, Newborn,Neonates,Newborn,Newborn Infant,Newborn Infants
D008297 Male Males
D012141 Respiratory Tract Infections Invasion of the host RESPIRATORY SYSTEM by microorganisms, usually leading to pathological processes or diseases. Respiratory System Infections,Upper Respiratory Tract Infection,Upper Respiratory Tract Infections,Infections, Respiratory,Infections, Respiratory Tract,Infections, Upper Respiratory,Infections, Upper Respiratory Tract,Respiratory Infections,Upper Respiratory Infections,Infection, Respiratory System,Infection, Respiratory Tract,Respiratory Infection, Upper,Respiratory System Infection,Respiratory Tract Infection
D005260 Female Females
D005334 Fever An abnormal elevation of body temperature, usually as a result of a pathologic process. Pyrexia,Fevers,Pyrexias
D005759 Gastroenteritis INFLAMMATION of any segment of the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT from ESOPHAGUS to RECTUM. Causes of gastroenteritis are many including genetic, infection, HYPERSENSITIVITY, drug effects, and CANCER. Gastroenteritides
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001437 Bacteriuria The presence of bacteria in the urine which is normally bacteria-free. These bacteria are from the URINARY TRACT and are not contaminants of the surrounding tissues. Bacteriuria can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. Significant bacteriuria is an indicator of urinary tract infection. Bacteriurias

Related Publications

V R Dharnidharka, and P W Kandoth
March 1987, The Pediatric infectious disease journal,
V R Dharnidharka, and P W Kandoth
July 1974, Lancet (London, England),
V R Dharnidharka, and P W Kandoth
July 1993, The Journal of pediatrics,
V R Dharnidharka, and P W Kandoth
January 1970, British medical journal,
V R Dharnidharka, and P W Kandoth
January 1973, The Journal of pediatrics,
V R Dharnidharka, and P W Kandoth
September 2021, Hospital pediatrics,
V R Dharnidharka, and P W Kandoth
September 1963, The Journal of pediatrics,
V R Dharnidharka, and P W Kandoth
February 1970, Minerva pediatrica,
V R Dharnidharka, and P W Kandoth
December 1987, The Pediatric infectious disease journal,
Copied contents to your clipboard!