UTI in Outpatient Febrile Infants Younger Than 30 Days
Background. To determine the prevalence of outpatient-diagnosed urinary tract infection (UTI) in consecutive febrile neonates ≤30 days of age and correlate demographic, laboratory and radiographic imaging results with infectious etiology.
Methods. Review of medical records of consecutive febrile infants ≤30 days of age presenting to an urban pediatric emergency department during a 10-year period, whose policy is to perform a sepsis evaluation (urine culture obtained by bladder catheterization) and hospitalize for parenteral antibiotic therapy pending culture results.
Results. Of 670 febrile neonates ≤30 days of age evaluated for sepsis, urine culture was obtained in 651 cases (97%). Of 100 patients with UTI (15.4%), 73% were male; the most common uropathogens were Escherichia coli (71%), Enterococcus (10%) and Klebsiella sp. (10%). In all, 39% had a maximum documented fever ≥102°F, and 40% had CBC total white blood cells count ≥15,000/mm. Urine dipstick test was positive for leukocyte esterase or nitrite in 79%. Renal ultrasound performed in 95 patients (95%) showed anatomic abnormalities in 47%; 5/26 (24%) with hydronephrosis had vesicoureteral reflux on voiding cystourethrogram. Four patients had urosepsis; none had bacterial meningitis and no patients died.
Conclusions. UTI affects approximately 1 in 6 febrile neonates ≤30 days of age. Males are affected 2.5-times greater than females. E. coli continues to be the predominant uropathogen. Clinical parameters like height of fever, CBC total white blood cell count and urine dipstick test lack sensitivity in identifying UTI risk in the outpatient setting. Only 4 infants had urosepsis (4%). Nearly half of neonates with UTI have a radiographically identified anatomic abnormality. All febrile young infants should receive performance of a urine culture; those with UTI require imaging.
The febrile young infant is a common pediatric problem presenting for outpatient evaluation. Prior studies have delineated relatively high risk for serious bacterial infection (SBI) when compared with older febrile children. A variety of potential host deficiencies can contribute to these youngest infants being susceptible to invasive bacterial infection. In addition, their neurologic immaturity can confound accurately grading patient clinical appearance. It is widely recommended that all febrile infants <1 month of age receive a comprehensive sepsis evaluation and hospitalization for empiric antibiotic therapy pending culture results.
The most common SBI in febrile young infants is urinary tract infection (UTI). Delayed diagnosis and treatment theoretically increases risk for renal scarring and possible urosepsis, each with potentially serious consequences.
A recent consensus report by the American Academy of Pediatrics on UTI excluded making recommendations for infants 0–2 months of age, citing a paucity of data defining UTI risk in these patients. The purpose of this study is to define the characteristics and outcomes of a large consecutive group of consecutive febrile infants aged ≤30 days with UTI who received an emergency department (ED) sepsis evaluation.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Background. To determine the prevalence of outpatient-diagnosed urinary tract infection (UTI) in consecutive febrile neonates ≤30 days of age and correlate demographic, laboratory and radiographic imaging results with infectious etiology.
Methods. Review of medical records of consecutive febrile infants ≤30 days of age presenting to an urban pediatric emergency department during a 10-year period, whose policy is to perform a sepsis evaluation (urine culture obtained by bladder catheterization) and hospitalize for parenteral antibiotic therapy pending culture results.
Results. Of 670 febrile neonates ≤30 days of age evaluated for sepsis, urine culture was obtained in 651 cases (97%). Of 100 patients with UTI (15.4%), 73% were male; the most common uropathogens were Escherichia coli (71%), Enterococcus (10%) and Klebsiella sp. (10%). In all, 39% had a maximum documented fever ≥102°F, and 40% had CBC total white blood cells count ≥15,000/mm. Urine dipstick test was positive for leukocyte esterase or nitrite in 79%. Renal ultrasound performed in 95 patients (95%) showed anatomic abnormalities in 47%; 5/26 (24%) with hydronephrosis had vesicoureteral reflux on voiding cystourethrogram. Four patients had urosepsis; none had bacterial meningitis and no patients died.
Conclusions. UTI affects approximately 1 in 6 febrile neonates ≤30 days of age. Males are affected 2.5-times greater than females. E. coli continues to be the predominant uropathogen. Clinical parameters like height of fever, CBC total white blood cell count and urine dipstick test lack sensitivity in identifying UTI risk in the outpatient setting. Only 4 infants had urosepsis (4%). Nearly half of neonates with UTI have a radiographically identified anatomic abnormality. All febrile young infants should receive performance of a urine culture; those with UTI require imaging.
Introduction
The febrile young infant is a common pediatric problem presenting for outpatient evaluation. Prior studies have delineated relatively high risk for serious bacterial infection (SBI) when compared with older febrile children. A variety of potential host deficiencies can contribute to these youngest infants being susceptible to invasive bacterial infection. In addition, their neurologic immaturity can confound accurately grading patient clinical appearance. It is widely recommended that all febrile infants <1 month of age receive a comprehensive sepsis evaluation and hospitalization for empiric antibiotic therapy pending culture results.
The most common SBI in febrile young infants is urinary tract infection (UTI). Delayed diagnosis and treatment theoretically increases risk for renal scarring and possible urosepsis, each with potentially serious consequences.
A recent consensus report by the American Academy of Pediatrics on UTI excluded making recommendations for infants 0–2 months of age, citing a paucity of data defining UTI risk in these patients. The purpose of this study is to define the characteristics and outcomes of a large consecutive group of consecutive febrile infants aged ≤30 days with UTI who received an emergency department (ED) sepsis evaluation.