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Continuity Clinic Notebook:

Chapter II. The Evaluation of the Sick Child

Chapter 2 Index

A. Evaluation by system:

1. General

2. HEENT

3. Cardiopulmonary

4. GI

5. GU
--UTIs and Vesicoureteral Reflux

 

Practice Parameter for UTI under age 2 years

Russell Steele, MD: AAP

Controversial questions addressed by AAP practice parameters:

1. Q: When should a UTI be ruled out in a child with fever under age two:

A: Whenever a fever is unexplained - true for males and females

2. Q: How should specimen be obtained?

A: By cath or suprapubic; bag specimen give 85% false positive results

3. Q: What is a significant colony count by these methods of collection:

    A: Suprapubic: > 100 colonies/ml urine
        Cath          : > 5,000 colonies/ml urine
        Clean void  : > 100,000 colonies/ml urine

4. Q: What organisms most commonly cause UTIs in this age group?

A: E. Coli -80%; Klebsiella 6%; Staph Saprophyticus 5%; Proteus 1%; Pseudomonas 1%

5. Q: Which antibiotics should be used for treating Pyelonephritis, other UTIs?

A:
Pyelo: Ceftriaxone, Cefotaxime, Gentamycin, Tobramycin, Ticarcillin, Ampicillin. Treat for an average of 7-10 days; treat systemically until fever gone x 48 hours then switch to po meds. Studies of shorter duration of treatment show less good results

UTI: other than pyelonephritis: po meds: use Septra, Gantrisin, Suprax, Vantin, Cefzil, Keflex, or Lorabid in that order.  Amoxicillin is less used because of resistance E.Coli

Antibiotics should be continued until the radiologic workup is completed.      

6. Q: When should workup be done, and what should it consist of?

A: All documented UTIs in the first two years of life should be worked up with a renal ultrasound, and a VCUG.  Timing of VCUG can be anytime that is convenient.  There is no need to wait until weeks have passed.

7. Q: What is the role of the DMSA scan in the workup of these children?

A: This scan, which identifies renal scarring, should be obtained when there are recurrent UTIs or if definitive abnormalities of anatomy are discovered by U/S and VCUG.  This test should not be done routinely.  It is expensive ($600/test) and does not affect our treatment

8. Q: If GU reflux is identified, when should the child be referred to an urologist?

A: GI and GII (calyces normal) should be taken care of by pediatrician; GIV and V by urologist; GIII (blunted calyces) by either.

9. Q: If pediatrician to follow child, how should that be done?

A: The answer will depend on whether or not reflux has been identified:

Reflux (+/-) 1 month 3 month 6 month 1 year
No reflux urine culture urinalysis Urinalysis Urinalysis
G I-III reflux urine culture
antibiotic px
urine culture
antibiotic px
Urine culture
Antibiotic px, repeat x-rays
Urine culture
Antibiotic px, repeat x-rays

10. Q: How long should antibiotic prophylaxis be continued?

A: Until reflux disappears or until age five years.

11. Q: How approach the problem of asymptomatic bacteruria?

A: Unlikely this infection will have any significant changes on x-rays.  Treat conservatively.

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Department of Pediatrics  |  Medical College of Georgia
Please email comments, suggestions or questions to:
John T.  Benjamin M.D., 
jbenj@mcg.edu

February 27, 2004