Frequency of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Febrile Children

Background: UTI is a major cause of fever in children and is often asymptomatic with no particular urinary symptoms, especially in infants and toddlers. Renal complications, scarring and recurring infections are expected to be prevented by early detection and treatment. The frequency of UTI in febrile children can be determined with the assistance of determining the proper diagnostics tests. Objective: To identify the Frequency of urinary tract infection in febrile children and to identify demographic variables related to higher risk in order to enhance clinical suspicion and diagnostic yield. Study design: A cross-sectional study. Place and duration of study: Paediatrics Department of Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta, from January 2025 to May 2025. Methods: This cross-sectional investigation was carried out among 100 febrile children aged between 2 months to 12 years of age who presented without a definite source of infection. Urine samples were collected by clean-catch or catheterized urine samples and sent to undergo urinalysis and culture. The demographic information, clinical presentation and lab results were documented. Mean, standard deviation and chi-square test were performed with a significant p < 0.05. Findings: 100 febrile children were recruited, and the average age of them was 3.8 +- 2.1 years. Among them, 12 (12%) or were diagnosed with UTI with positive cultures of urine. The proportion was bigger among females (16%) than among males (8%) (p = 0.04). In male children, UTI was much higher in uncircumcised boys (14%) than those who had been circumcised (3%) (p = 0.02). A high frequency of UTI was also related to fever [?]39degC (p = 0.03). Conclusion: UTI is a frequent etiologic agent of fever in children, especially in girls and in uncircumcised boys. In high-risk groups, routine urine tests must be considered in febrile children with an unexplained origin. Complications can be avoided and the burden of recurrent urinary infections can be decreased by early detection and treatment.