Family history and behavioral abnormalities in girls with recurrent urinary tract infections: a controlled study

PURPOSE: We evaluated the role of family history, infrequent voiding, poor fluid intake, functional stool retention and inadequate anogenital hygiene or toilet habits in girls with recurrent urinary tract infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The possible occurrence of these risk factors was assessed in 90 Swiss girls with recurrent urinary tract infections and in a control group of 45 girls. RESULTS: Family history was positive in 42% of patients and in 11% of controls (p <0.001). Behavioral abnormalities were also more frequently noted in girls with recurrent urinary tract infections than in the control group (81% vs 56%, p <0.01). There were 137 abnormalities in 73 girls with recurrent urinary tract infections and 30 abnormalities in 25 controls. Two or more abnormalities each, that is 2 in 32 girls and 3 in 16, were noted in 48 girls with recurrent urinary tract infections and in 5 control girls. No controls presented with more than 2 abnormalities. Infrequent voiding (54% vs 24%, p <0.001), poor fluid intake (53% vs 16%, p <0.001) and functional stool retention (30% vs 13%, p <0.05) were more frequently disclosed in girls with recurrent urinary tract infections than in control girls. In contrast, the frequency of inadequate stool hygiene or toilet habits was similar in patients and controls (14% and 13%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of girls with recurrent urinary tract infections should focus on identifying behavioral aspects, including infrequent voiding, poor fluid intake and functional stool retention.