Introduction: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a common bacterial infection in children, with a varied clinical presentation that often leads to diagnostic challenges. Delayed diagnosis and inappropriate treatment in India can result in complications such as renal scarring and hypertension. The rising antimicrobial resistance in Haryana, India, among uropathogens necessitates continuous monitoring of the clinicomicrobiological profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Aim: To analyse the clinical presentation, microbiological profile, and antibiotic susceptibility patterns in paediatric UTI cases, emphasising the role of imaging in diagnosis. Materials and Methods: The present prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Paediatrics, SGT Medical College, Haryana, India, over 12 months. A total of 120 children (aged 1 month to 18 years) with laboratory confirmed UTI were included. Clinical history, urine analysis, urine culture with sensitivity testing, and imaging studies were performed. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results: Out of 120 children, 69 were male and 51 were female. UTI was more common in males under five years, whereas females had a higher prevalence after five years (p=0.012). Escherichia coli were the most common uropathogen (40.7%), followed by Klebsiella and Staphylococcus aureus. High resistance to third generation cephalosporins was noted, while amikacin and gentamycin showed high sensitivity. Radiological abnormalities were present in 91.6% of cases, with cystitis and hydronephrosis as the most common findings. Conclusion: This study found that fever was the most common clinical presentation of paediatric UTIs. E.coli was the predominant pathogen isolated, with high resistance to ampicillin and ceftriaxone, while showing good sensitivity to amikacin and nitrofurantoin. Early imaging, particularly ultrasound, proved valuable in detecting structural abnormalities in a significant number of cases. These findings underscore the importance of tailored empirical therapy based on local resistance patterns and support the routine use of imaging in evaluating paediatric UTIs.
Rana et al. (Fri,) studied this question.