Urinary Tract Infections Presenting with Jaundice

Six cases are presented in which jaundice was the prominent feature in acute urinary tract infection. 4 of the 6 cases had positive blood cultures. The source of the infection could not be traced, but all were male infants of social grade V families, and poor hygiene was a common factor. Appropriate antibiotics were given early in the course of the disease, and the infection and jaundice cleared; there were no sequelae. The jaundice was due mainly to hepatocellular impairment, with varying degrees of haemolysis and cholestasis. A comprehensive bacteriological examination is recommended in any case presenting with jaundice and pyrexia.