• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.114-120
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics, frequency of renal abnormalities and benefits of a top-down approach in children with their first febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods: We reviewed 308 patients retrospectively who were admitted to Yeungnam University Hospital and were treated for their first febrile UTI from February 2006 to December 2013. We performed a comparative analysis of laboratory findings and results of imaging techniques including a Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan. Results: Among the patients, 69% (213/308) were males, and 90% (277/308) had their first UTI episode during infancy. A DMSA renal scan was performed on all patients, and showed positive findings in 60% (184/308) of cases. Laboratory indices of inflammation were significantly higher in the DMSA-positive group (P< 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the age distribution between the two groups. In the DMSA-positive group, 165 patients underwent voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), and 58 (35%) cases demonstrated vesicoureteral reflux. In total, 110 patients in the DMSA-positive group, underwent repeat scanning at 6 months; 33 children (30%) demonstrated static scarring, but 77 (70%) had improved completely. The concordance of the ultrasonography (US) and VCUG was low. Older patients had more renal scarring. Conclusion: DMSA is a sensitive method for assessing the severity of inflammation and kidney injury. However, the ability of US to predict renal parenchymal damage was limited. A top-down approach in children with their first febrile UTI showed significant value.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.42-46
• /
• 2018

Purpose: We investigated whether the white blood cell (WBC) count to hemoglobin (Hgb) level ratio is correlated with the presence of cortical defects on dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan in children with febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods: We examined 95 children who were consecutively admitted to our hospital with their first episode of febrile UTI. Blood tests (C-reactive protein [CRP], WBC, Hgb] were performed. All enrolled children underwent DMSA scanning during admission. Data were compared between children with positive and negative DMSA results. The correlations between WBC to Hgb ratio and the presence of cortical defects on DMSA scan, and between WBC to Hgb ratio and CRP level were analyzed using the Pearson chi-squared test. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate whether WBC to Hgb ratio could predict the cortical defects on DMSA scan in children with febrile UTI. Results: The WBC to Hgb ratio was significantly higher in children with positive DMSA results than in those with negative DMSA results; positively correlated with the presence of cortical defects on DMSA scan and CRP; and was a significant factor for predicting the presence of cortical defects on DMSA scan. Conclusion: The WBC to Hgb ratio may predict the presence of cortical defects on acute DMSA scans in children with febrile UTI.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.54 no.2
• /
• pp.79-85
• /
• 2011

Purpose: We studied the differences in the antibiotic susceptibilities of the microorganisms that causeing urinary tract infections (UTI) in children to obtain useful information on appropriate drug selection for childhood UTI. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the antibiotic susceptibilities of 429 microorganisms isolated from 900 patients diagnosed with UTI in the Department of Pediatrics, Chungbuk National University Hospital, from 2003 to 2008. Results: The most common causative microorganisms for UTI were Escherichia coli (81.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.4%), Enterobacter spp. (1.7%), and Proteus spp. (0.4%). E. coli showed relatively high susceptibility as compared to imipenem (100%), amikacin (97.7%), aztreonam (97.9%), cefepime (97.7%), and ceftriaxone (97.1%), while it showed relatively low susceptibility to gentamicin (GM) (79.0%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) (68.7%), ampicillin/sulbactam (33.0%), and ampicillin (AMP) (28.6%). There were no significant differences in the image findings for causative microorganisms. Conclusion: Gram-negative organisms showed high susceptibility to amikacin and third-generation cephalosporins, and low susceptibility to AMP, GM, and TMP/SMX. Therefore, the use of AMP or TMP/SMX as the first choice in empirical and prophylactic treatment of childhood UTI in Korea should be reconsidered and investigated further.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.221-229
• /
• 1998

Purpose : The symptom of urinary tract infection in children is non-specific and systemic compared to that of adults. So the diagnosis of UTI in children can be delayed. If UTI in children is not appropriately managed, it may he resulted in renal failure, hypertension, growth failure in adolescence because there are already documented renal scar or urinary tract abnormality in infection period. Especially upper UTI that involve renal parenchyme may be result in fatal complication. The purpose of this study is analyzing the relationship between acute reactive marker and $^{99m}TC$-DMSA renal scan in upper urinary tract infection. Methods : This study included 56 children admitted at Dankook University Hospital Pediatric Department in Jan. 1995~May. 1998. We analyzed quantatively the results of acute reactive marker(CRP, ESR, WBC), pyuria, fever and compared to those of sonographically find ing and $^{99m}TC$-DMSA renal scan. Comparison between groups were performed by the chi-square (x2) test and a p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results : 1) The number of boys less than 1 year of age was larger than that of girls. But the number of boys more than 1 year of age was reversed. 2) The higher me level of reactive marker (CRP, WBC), the more the probability of upper UTI. 3) The higher fever, the more the probability of upper UTI. 4) The more pyuria, the more probability of upper UTI. 5) The more higher the grade of vesicoureteral reflux, the more probability of upper UTI. 6) $^{99m}TC$-DMSA renal scan is more sensitive and more specific diagnostic tool than renal sonogram. Conclusion : The appearance of an abnormal $^{99m}TC$-DMSA renal scan is correlated with acute reactive marker (CRP, ESR, WBC), fever, pyuria. $^{99m}TC$-DMSA renal scan can be a good valuable predictor tool in upper UTI. So we can start early treatment and decrease the incidence of complication of upper urinary tract by above indicators before knowing the result of urine culture. And we can follow up the patients in more good relationships with their parents by telling them the duration of treatment and follow-up plan.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.112-116
• /
• 2021

Hyperammonemia is mainly caused by diseases related to liver failure. However, there are also non-hepatic causes of hyperammonemia, such as urinary tract infection (UTI) due to urease-producing organisms. Urease production by these bacteria induces a hydrolysis of urinary urea into ammonia that can cross the urothelial cell membrane and diffuse into blood vessels, leading to hyperammonemia. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of hyperammonemia can lead to lethal encephalopathy that can cause brain damage and life-threatening conditions. In the presence of obstructive uropathy, UTI by urease-producing bacteria can lead to more severe hyperammonemia due to enhanced resorption of ammonia into the systemic circulation. In this report, we present a case of acute severe hyperammonemic encephalopathy leading to brain death due to accumulation of ammonia in blood caused by Morganella morganii UTI in a 10-year-old girl with cloacal anomaly, causing obstructive uropathy even after multiple corrections.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.59 no.3
• /
• pp.139-144
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is a serious bacterial infection that can cause renal scarring in children. Early identification of APN is critical to improve treatment outcomes. The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a prognostic marker of many diseases, but it has not yet been established in urinary tract infection (UTI). The aim of this study was to determine whether NLR is a useful marker to predict APN or vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 298 pediatric patients ($age{\leq}36months$) with febrile UTI from January 2010 to December 2014. Conventional infection markers (white blood cell [WBC] count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C-reactive protein [CRP]), and NLR were measured. Results: WBC, CRP, ESR, and NLR were higher in APN than in lower UTI (P<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that NLR was a predictive factor for positive dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) defects (P<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was high for NLR (P<0.001) as well as CRP (P<0.001) for prediction of DMSA defects. NLR showed the highest area under the ROC curve for diagnosis of VUR (P<0.001). Conclusion: NLR can be used as a diagnostic marker of APN with DMSA defect, showing better results than those of conventional markers for VUR prediction.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.136-142
• /
• 2015

Purpose: Although the American Academy of Pediatrics provides clinical guidelines for urinary tract infection (UTI) infants, guidelines are not appropriate for neonates and infants less than 2 months of age due to insufficient data. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of neonates and young infants less than 2 months old (group 1) with UTI compared to older infants from 2 to 12 months old (group 2). Methods: We reviewed UTI patients aged 0 to 12 months admitted to the pediatric department in the last 5 years. Clinical characteristics such as age, sex, fever duration, recurrence, progression to acute pyelonephritis (APN), malformations like hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and laboratory results were compared between group 1 and group 2. Results: 615 patients were included in this study. Group 1 had 94 cases and group 2 had 521 cases. Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated pathogen in urine cultures. Fever duration was shorter in group 1 (vs.) 2 ($1.91{\pm}1.43$ days vs. $3.42{\pm}2.40$ days, P<0.05). As compared to group 2, group 1 had a higher proportion of patients with antenatal hydronephrosis and hydronephrosis found after admission (10.6% vs. 3.6% and 75.5% vs. 55.9%, P<0.05). There were differences between two groups in white blood cell (WBC) count (Group 1: $13,694{\pm}5,315/{\mu}L$, Group 2: $15,271{\pm}6,130/{\mu}L$, P<0.05) and C-reactive protein (Group 1: $32.02{\pm}35.17mg/L$, Group 2: $46.51{\pm}46.63mg/L$, P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared to older infants, UTI in neonates and young infants shows milder clinical manifestations except higher rates of hydronephrosis but outcome is alike.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.61 no.3
• /
• pp.90-94
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The present study aimed to determine the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level and Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children. Methods: In this case-control study, 70 children with UTI (case group) were compared with 70 healthy children (control group) in terms of serum 25(OH)D levels. The children were between 1 month and 12 years of age. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results were analyzed and compared between both groups. Results: Among 70 children with UTI (case group), 5 children (7.2%) were male and 65 (92.8%) were female. Among the healthy children (control group), 9 (12.8%) and 61 children (87.2%) were male and female, respectively (P=0.39). The $mean{\pm}standard$ deviation of age in the case and control groups were $53.2{\pm}35.6$ and $36.1{\pm}60.2months$, respectively (P=0.24). The mean level of serum 25(OH)D in the case group was significantly higher than that of the control group ($20.4{\pm}8.6ng/mL$ vs. $16.9{\pm}7.4ng/mL$, P=0.01) Conclusion: This study showed that there was a relationship between serum 25(OH)D levels and UTI in children. It seems that 25(OH)D plays a role in the pathogenesis of UTI.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.180-186
• /
• 1999

Purpose : It has been well known that urinary tract infection(UTI) in infants and children is frequently associated with vesicoureteral reflux(VUR). However, the publishied papers dealing with congenital anomalies associated with UTI emphasized the importance of VUR only. The aim of our study was to evaluate the type, incidence and spectrum of urologic anomalies associated with UTI. Methods : Medical records of clinical, bacteriologic and radiologic study were assessed retrospectively in 65 infants or children with documented UTI who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Seoul Hospital from March 1996 to February 1998. Results : Spectrum of anomalies were associated with UTI as follows: VUR(n=23), both ectopic kidney(n=1), ureterovesical junction(UVJ) obstruction(n=1), multicystic dysplastic kidney(n=1), ureteropelvic junction(UPJ) obstruction with hydronephrosis(n=1), hutch diverticulum(n=1), UPJ stenosis(n=1), posterior urethral valve(n=1), urachal remnant(n=1) and bladder diverticula(n=1). Congenital urinary anomalies other than VUR were detected in 9 children among 65 patients with UTI(13.8%). 4 children among 9 congenital urinary anomalies other than VUR were combined with VUR. Sex distribution with congenital urinary anomalies other than VUR was more prevalent in male than female (7 males : 2 females). Age distribution at the time of UTI was less than 5 years in most patient (under 1 year in 1 patient, 1-2 year in 5 patients, 3-5 year in 1 patient, and above 5 year in 2 patients). And age distribution at the time of UTl associated with VUR was less than 5 years in most patient (under 1 year in 6 patients, 1-2 year in 8 patients, 3-5 year in 5 patients, and above 5 year in 4 patients), too Conclusion : Because congenital urinary anomalies other than VUR are seen in as high as 13.8% of patients, more careful evaluation of all possible congenital urinary anomalies as well as VUR is mandatory in pediatric patient with UTI.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.373-382
• /
• 2004

Cystitis and acute pyelonephritis(APN) are usually caused by ascending infection. Two cases of urinary tract infection(UTI) were encountered. Because antibiotics might cause some adverse reactions such as diarrhea, eruption, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, so Korean Traditional Medicine has been applied to UTI, and several reports can be found in the literature. This study was performed on two patients with UTI who were treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion. Noteworthy results were obtained in hematology and urinalysis. UTI symptoms, signs and laboratory findings are indicative of successful treatment. Results suggests that Korean Traditional Medicine applied to UTI is effective. These findings are reported with a brief review of related literature.