Prevalence of urinary tract infection in children attending the paediatric outpatient department at Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Foundation: A retrospective analytical cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/f5ye9332Keywords:
Children, urinary tract infection, urine culture, antimicrobial susceptibility, Escherichia coli, nitrofurantoinAbstract
Introduction:
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a frequent bacterial infection in children and contributes substantially to short- and long-term morbidity. Early diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial therapy are essential to prevent renal complications. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, clinical profile, and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of UTI in children attending a tertiary care centre.
Methods:
This retrospective analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Paediatrics, KIMS & RF, Amalapuram, over a six-month period. A total of 100 children aged 1–14 years who underwent urine examination were included. Urine samples were analysed by microscopy and culture, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using standard methods.
Results:
Among 100 children evaluated, 38% were culture-positive for UTI. The highest prevalence was observed in children aged 1–5 years (47.4%). Females constituted 60.5% of culture-positive cases (male: female ratio 1:1.5). Escherichia coli was the predominant isolate (63.2%), followed by Klebsiella species (18.4%). E. coli demonstrated the highest sensitivity to nitrofurantoin (89.5%) and ceftriaxone (84.2%), while resistance was highest to ampicillin (68.4%). Fever (71.1%) and dysuria (52.6%) were the most common presenting symptoms.
Conclusion:
UTI prevalence was 38% among children attending the paediatric OPD, with female predominance and E. coli as the principal pathogen. High resistance to commonly used antibiotics underscores the need for periodic surveillance and rational antimicrobial prescribing.
Recommendations:
Strengthen urine culture-based diagnosis, implement regular antibiogram surveillance, promote nitrofurantoin as first-line therapy, and reinforce antimicrobial stewardship in paediatric outpatient care.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dandu Venkata Satya Sanjay Varma, N Parikshit Kumar, T. Krishna Reddy, Shaik Mabbul (Author)
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