Abstract
The symptoms of urinary tract infections in infants are very non-specific and have historically included prolonged hyperbilirubinaemia. We studied the results of routine urine samples in 319 infants with prolonged jaundice. Convincing findings of UTI was not found in any of these children even if one of them was treated with antibiotics after four consecutive urine cultures with different bacteria.
Conclusion: A urine culture might thus not be an appropriate investigation in a child with prolonged jaundice without any other symptoms of UTI.
What is Known: • The symptoms of UTI in infancy are very non-specific. • Old studies suggest that prolonged hyperbilirubinaemia is one such symptom; more modern studies give more conflicting results. |
What is New: • Our study could not confirm that children with prolonged jaundice have an increased risk of UTI. • Routine urine testing is thus not needed in otherwise healthy infants with prolonged jaundice. |
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Abbreviations
- UTI:
-
Urinary tract infection
- SPA:
-
Suprapubic aspiration
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The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Authors’ contributions
Dr Chowdhury did take part in planning the study, did the actual study, analysed the data, wrote the first draft of the manuscript and approved of the final draft; Dr Kisat planned the study, saw the patients in the clinic, took part in writing the manuscript and approved the final draft; and Dr Tullus helped in the presentation of the data and wrote the final draft of the paper.
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Communicated by Jaan Toelen
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Chowdhury, T., Kisat, H. & Tullus, K. Does UTI cause prolonged jaundice in otherwise well infants?. Eur J Pediatr 174, 971–973 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-015-2499-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-015-2499-3