Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Urology

Urinary tract infections: investigation in children

John R Burke
Abstract
Radiological investigation is appropriate in all children with a first infection of the urinary tract but should not be performed until antibiotic therapy has eradicated the infection.
Key Points
  • Suspect urinary tract infection in a young child with unexplained fever.
  • Bag urines should be collected by health professionals and not parents.
  • Dipstick tests should be regarded as screening tests and not diagnostic of UTI.
  • About 30% of children with UTIs have an underlying structural renal abnormality.
  • Ultrasound is the initial investigation in all children with proven urinary infection.
  • Consider detrusor instability in the girl who continues to be wet after eradication of infection.
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