Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Adolescent Girls: I. Epidemiology

Because the incidence of bacteriuria in asymptomatic school girls is low (1% to 2%), we examined possible risk factors in adolescents, such as previous history of urinary tract infection (UTI) and sexual intercourse (previous and recent). Eight (1.6%) of 500 adolescent girls were detected with asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU). Of 47 patients reporting a previous UTI, four (9%) were bacteriuric. Two other patients detected with bacteriuria had a history of enuresis; thus 6/8 adolescents with ABU had a history that suggests a need to screen for infection. A history of sexual activity was not helpful in case detection. Of the 500 girls, 133 had a routine pelvic examination at the time of the visit. The procedure was not associated with bacteriuria, as measured by a home nitrite test each day for three days following the clinic visit.