Comparison of procalcitonin and different guidelines for first febrile urinary tract infection in children by imaging

Background

We examined the ability of a procalcitonin (PCT) protocol to detect vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and renal scarring (RS), evaluated procedural costs and radiation burden, and compared four representative guidelines for children with their first febrile urinary tract infection (UTI).

Methods

Children aged ≤2 years with their first febrile UTI who underwent renal ultrasonography (US), acute and late technetium-99m (^99mTc)-dimercaptosuccinic acid scan, and voiding cystourethrography were prospectively studied. The representative guidelines applied in a retrospective simulation included the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), National Institute of Clinical Excellence, top-down approach (TDA), and Italian Society of Pediatric Nephrology (ISPN). These were compared in terms of ability to detect abnormalities, procedural costs and radiation.

Results

Of 278 children analyzed, 172 (61.9 %) had acute pyelonephritis. There was VUR in 101 (36.3 %) children, including 73 (26.3 %) with grades III–V VUR. RS was identified in 75 (27.0 %) children. To detect VUR, TDA and PCT had the highest sensitivity for grades I–V VUR (80.2 %) and III–V VUR (94.5 %), respectively, whereas AAP had the highest specificity for I–V VUR (77.4 %) and III–V VUR (78.0 %), respectively. TDA and PCT had the highest sensitivity (100 %) for detecting RS. The highest cost and radiation dose was associated with TDA, whereas AAP had the least expenditure and radiation exposure. By multivariate analysis, PCT and VUR, especially grades III–V, were independent predictors of RS.

Conclusions

There is no perfect guideline for first febrile UTI children. The PCT protocol has good ability for detecting high-grade VUR and RS. If based on available imaging modalities and reducing cost and radiation burden, clinical suggestions in the AAP guidelines represent a considerable protocol.     

Vesicoureteric reflux in Kuwaiti children with first febrile urinary tract infection

The prevalence of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) in children with urinary tract infection (UTI) varies among different racial groups. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of VUR and associated renal changes in a group of Arab Kuwaiti children with their first documented febrile UTI and to compare our findings with those reported from other racial groups. One hundred and seventy-four children (38 males and 136 females) fulfilled the study criteria and were divided into three age groups (<1 year, 1–5 years, and >5 years). Patients in each group had both micturating cystourethrography (MCUG) and 99m-Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan after diagnosis. VUR was detected in 39 children (22%). Two-thirds of cases had mild reflux (grade I and II). Females (n=32) had more reflux than males (n=7) (24% vs. 18%). Sixty-three patients (36%) had abnormal (DMSA) renal scans (acute pyelonephritis [AP] or renal scars). Of these, 79% were children below 5 years. Abnormal DMSA scans were found in 4 of 38 males (11%) versus 59 of 136 females (43%). Abnormal scans in children with VUR were seen in 1 of 7 males (14%) versus 19 of 32 females (59%). In total, the combination of abnormal scan with VUR occurred in 1 of 38 males (3%) and in 19 of 136 females (14%), whereas abnormal scan without demonstrable VUR was seen in 3 of 38 males (8%) versus 40 of 136 females (29%). Our data showed that the frequency of VUR in Arab Kuwaiti children with febrile UTI is midway between Caucasian and other racial groups. In this study, males had a lower-risk profile than females, the latter having a higher rate of reflux as well as a higher rate of abnormal DMSA scans, irrespective of demonstrable VUR.     

Kidney imaging in management of delayed febrile urinary tract infection

We report a cross-sectional study performed to evaluate the imaging findings of 40 children, aged one month to five years (16.65 ± 14.97 months), who presented with protracted fever of more than 48 hours due to urinary tract infection (UTI). About 85% of the patients had positive Tc99-Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan and 58% had vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Kidney sonography aided in the diagnosis and treatment in 10% of the patients. Age, sex, presence or laterality of VUR did not contribute to defective DMSA scan (pyelonephritis) (P > 0.05). Delayed diagnosis and treatment of febrile UTI is associated with a high incidence of positive findings of DMSA scan irrespective of age, sex or presence/absence of VUR. In mild VUR, the DMSA scan may be normal while in patients with moderate and severe VUR the DMSA scan is almost always abnormal. Thus, our study shows that a normal DMSA scan can help in ruling out moderate to severe forms of VUR and that cystography remains an excellent and standard tool for the diagnosis of VUR.     

Chemokine response to febrile urinary tract infection

BACKGROUND: Mucosal CXC chemokines recruit inflammatory cells to the infected urinary tract. The chemokine response repertoire of the urinary tract and the relationship to disease severity have not been examined, however. METHODS: This study quantified CXC (CXCL1, CXCL3, CXCL5, CXCL8, CXCL9, and CXCL10) and CC (CCL2, CCL4, and CCL5) chemokines in sequential urine samples obtained from 50 patients with febrile urinary tract infections during 24 hours after diagnosis. RESULTS: All patients had elevated chemokine levels, but bacteremic infections caused higher CXCL1, CXCL3, CXCL5, CXCL8, and CCL2 responses. CCL2 and CXCL8 levels were higher in patients with acute pyelonephritis symptoms and CCL2, CXCL3, CCL4, CXCL5, and CXCL10 were significantly correlated to C-reactive protein (CRP) and temperature. Women and men showed different chemokine responses. CONCLUSION: Febrile urinary tract infections are accompanied by a complex chemokine response. The response magnitude reflects disease severity, and the repertoire is influenced by gender and underlying disease.     

Acute pyelonephritis and sequelae of renal scar in pediatric first febrile urinary tract infection

To investigate the incidence of acute pyelonephritis (APN) and renal scarring in children with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI), 191 of 216 (88%) children with their first episode of UTI received (99m)Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid renal single-photon emission computed tomography. They were investigated within 7 days of admission and were followed for 6 months. One hundred and six patients (49.1%) underwent a voiding cystourethrogram. The incidence of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) in group I (相似文献   

Ceftibuten versus trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for oral treatment of febrile urinary tract infection in children

A randomized, open, coordinated multi-center trial compared the bacteriological and clinical efficacy and safety of orally administered ceftibuten and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) in children with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Children aged 1 month to 12 years presenting with presumptive first-time febrile UTI were eligible for enrolment. A 2:1 assignment to treatment with ceftibuten 9 mg/kg once daily (n = 368) or TMP-SMX (3 mg + 15 mg)/kg twice daily (n = 179) for 10 days was performed. Escherichia coli was recovered in 96% of the cases. Among the E. coli isolates, 14% were resistant to TMP-SMX but none to ceftibuten. In the modified intention-to-treat population, the bacteriological elimination rates at follow-up did not differ significantly between patients treated with ceftibuten and those treated with TMP-SMX [91 vs. 95%, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) for difference of -9.7 to 1.0]. However, the clinical cure rate was significantly higher among those treated with ceftibuten (93 vs. 83%, with a 95% CI for difference of 2.4 to 17.0). Adverse events were similar for both regimens and consisted mainly of gastrointestinal disturbances. In conclusion, ceftibuten is a safe and effective drug for the empirical treatment of febrile UTI in young children.     

Acute renal damage in infants after first urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common causes of unexplained fever in neonates. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of urinary tract anomalies and acute renal damage in neonates who presented with first urinary tract infection in the first 8 weeks of life. We reviewed the records of 95 infants, who were hospitalised with UTI during a 6-year period (1994-1999). Patients with antenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis and incomplete radiological investigations were excluded from the study. Of the remaining 57 patients, 42 were boys and 15 girls. The mean age at diagnosis was 32 days (range 5-60 days). All patients underwent renal ultrasonography (US), voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) and (99m)Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan. Urinary tract abnormalities were detected in 20 (35%) patients. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) was found in 19 (33%) neonates, 7 girls and 12 boys. Acute cortical defects on DMSA scan were present in 19 kidneys of patients with VUR and in 25 of those without reflux. Only one-third of neonates after first symptomatic UTI had VUR. We recommend that US, VCUG, and DMSA scan should be routinely performed after the first UTI in infants younger than 8 weeks.     

Relationship between febrile urinary tract infection and urodynamics in myelodysplastic children with vesicoureteral reflux

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a retrospective study in order to identify factors that may predict the incidence of febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) in myelodysplastic children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). METHODS: A total of 23 myelodysplastic children with persistent VUR who were managed by clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) were eligible for this study. Any factors, including urodynamic parameters and urinary tract abnormalities, that may have been associated with the incidence of febrile UTI were evaluated using both univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 23 patients, 10 (43%) had had one or more episodes of febrile UTI. Both univariate and multivariate analyses showed a statistically significant relationship between low bladder compliance (<10 ml/cm H(2)O) and episodes of febrile UTI. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that the urodynamics linked to bladder function disorder in the filling phase appear to be correlated with the incidence of febrile UTI in myelodysplastic children with VUR who are managed by CIC.     

Acute renal cortical scintigraphy in children with a first urinary tract infection

This prospective study, performed in 101 children with a first symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI), evaluates the diagnostic value of clinical, biological, and ultrasound parameters in detecting children with acute renal infection documented by dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy. In children with a positive DMSA scan, mean C-reactive protein (CRP) was higher than in children with a normal DMSA scan (114±64 vs. 67±38 mg/dl, mean±SD, P=0.0002). The sensitivity and specificity of CRP was 64% and 68%, respectively. In children with severe kidney involvement, mean CRP and white blood count (WBC) were higher than in children with mild/moderate disease (151±83 vs. 92±55 mg/dl for CRP, P=0.0149; 20,100±6,854 vs. 15,023±6,145 WBC/ mm³ for WBC, P=0.0131). The sensitivity and specificity was 85% and 20% for CRP, and 77% and 18% for WBC, respectively. One or more areas of abnormal cortical echogenicity were documented in 3% of kidneys with positive DMSA scans. Dilatation of the collecting system was observed in 24% of kidneys. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography was 27% and 89%, respectively. In conclusion, clinical, biological, and ultrasound parameters do not accurately distinguish cystitis from pyelonephritis in children with UTI and do not identify children with severe renal damage. Accordingly, we recommend that DMSA scan should be added to the initial work-up of children with UTI. Received: 5 June 2000 / Revised: 9 May 2001 / Accepted: 9 May 2001     

Risk factors for febrile urinary tract infection in children with myelodysplasia treated by clean intermittent catheterization

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors involved in the incidence of febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) in a retrospective study of children with myelodysplasia who were treated by clean intermittent catheterization. METHODS: A total of 76 myelodysplastic children were included in the present study. Any factors, including urodynamic parameters and urinary tract abnormalities, that may have been associated with the incidence of febrile UTI were evaluated using both a univariate analysis and a multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 76 patients, 19 (25%) had one or more episodes of febrile UTI. A univariate analysis showed low bladder compliance (<10 mL/cmH2O), detrusor overactivity, bladder trabeculation and the presence of vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) to be significant factors in the incidence of febrile UTI. The presence of detrusor overactivity and a low bladder compliance, in addition to the presence of VUR, were found to be significant factors for the incidence of febrile UTI using a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that, in addition to VUR, urodynamics linked to bladder storage function disorder appear to be directly correlated with the cause of febrile UTI in children with myelodysplasia.     

Selective urological evaluation in men with febrile urinary tract infection.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and clinical importance of urological abnormalities in men with community-acquired febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 85 men (median age 63 years, range 18--86) were followed for 1 year after an episode of febrile UTI. They were investigated by excretory urography, cysto-urethroscopy, uroflowmetry, digital rectal examination and measurement of postvoid residual urine volume by abdominal ultrasonography. RESULTS: The radiological examination of the upper urinary tract in 83 patients revealed 22 abnormal findings in 19 men. Relevant clinical abnormalities leading to surgical intervention were found in only one patient who had renal calyceal stones. The lower urinary tract investigation disclosed 46 findings in 35 men. In all, surgically correctable disorders were found in 20 patients, of whom 15 had previously unrecognized abnormalities. All patients who required surgery were identified either by a history of voiding difficulties, acute urinary retention at the time of infection, the presence of microscopic haematuria at follow-up after one month, or early recurrent symptomatic UTI. CONCLUSION: Routine imaging studies of the upper urinary tract seem dispensable in men with febrile UTI. To reveal abnormalities of clinical importance, any urological evaluation should primarily be focused on the lower urinary tract.