What is UTI?
The urinary system consists of the kidneys, urinary ducts (ureters), urinary bladder (bladder) and urinary tract (urethra).
Urinary tract infection It refers to the bacterial proliferation in the urinary system and the inflammatory condition caused by the condition. It is the general name of a large group of conditions that can range from a simple asymptomatic infection to pain, high fever and even death.
Urinary tract infections have acute, chronic or recurrent characteristics. Bacteria, fungi and viruses can cause infections. It is the second most common reason for consulting a doctor after upper respiratory tract infections in childhood. It is more common in boys in the first month (newborn period) and in girls at later ages.
The most common factors in urinary system infections are intestinal bacteria. Contamination occurs largely from bottom to top, that is, microorganisms entering from the lower end of the urinary tract progress upward. Infections occur more easily and occur more frequently in girls because the urethra is shorter than in boys and is closer to the anus. Apart from this method, UTI can also rarely develop with microbes transmitted through blood.
What are the symptoms of UTI in children?
• New During the birth period (the first month), symptoms such as decreased reflexes, fading in color, high or low fever, and decreased movements may be observed. It may progress with vague symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. In kidney inflammation called pyelonephritis, fever and general deterioration are added to these symptoms. There may be changes in urine color and smell. Especially in lower urinary tract infections, frequent, small and painful urination may be observed. • In older children, pain in the lower abdomen, frequent painful urination, change in urine color are more likely to indicate lower urinary tract infection; Fever, waist and flank pain, vomiting, weakness, suggest pyelonephritis.
• In chronic cases, anemia, growth and development retardation, and bone structure disorder may be added to the picture.
Factors That Ease UTI
1. Factors related to microorganism: microorganism The anism has a high ability to cause infection.
2. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR): It is the leakage of urine, which is filtered and accumulated in the urinary bladder, back into the upper urinary tract during urination. 25-50% of children with recurrent UTIs have VUR. 3. Voiding dysfunction: It is most common between the ages of 3-7. A sudden urge to urinate and a feeling of urgency are felt many times during the day, and the patient crosses his legs to avoid leaking urine. The urinary bladder wall is thickened and there is dysfunction in the muscles that control urination.
4. Circumcision: The risk of UTI in uncircumcised boys is 10-20 times more common than in circumcised boys and girls.
br /> 5. Medical interventions such as catheter insertion.
6. Poor toilet cleaning.
Diagnosis
A simple urine analysis is a test used to make a diagnosis. However, the main diagnostic test is urine culture. Culture is a laboratory analysis used to find the microorganism causing infection in the body and the antibiotic effective against the detected microorganism.
After urinary tract infection is diagnosed, what needs to be decided is whether it is simple or complicated, whether it is recurrent or not, and whether it is accompanied by factors that may cause predisposition. Radiological imaging methods are generally needed to decide this.
These examinations are:
• Direct urinary system radiography: It is a direct x-ray film. It gives a rough idea about the stones and kidney sizes. • Ultrasonography: It is an easily applied examination method that is painless and does not involve radiation exposure. With this method, kidney size and shape, structural disorders, pus accumulations, stones can be seen and an idea about the urinary bladder can be obtained. • IVP (intravenous pyelography): By administering a special substance (contrast material) that becomes visible under radiation, through the vein. Information is obtained about the kidney and urinary tract.
• Voiding cystourethrography: The presence of VUR is investigated by placing a catheter in the lower urinary tract, filling the bladder with contrast material, and taking films during voiding.
• DMSA and DTPA renal scintigraphies: It is applied to investigate renal functions and renal disorders.
Treatment
Newborns, those under 5 years of age, those with fever, and those with poor general condition require treatment in hospital conditions.
Other cases can be treated with appropriate antibiotics for 7-14 days depending on their characteristics (such as simple, complicated, recurrent, presence of VUR). After the bacteria in the urine are cleared with treatment, further tests are planned. Long-term preventive antibiotic treatment and urine culture and examinations at regular intervals are recommended for patients deemed necessary.
As a result of the examinations, it is recommended that cases requiring surgical treatment, such as children with reflux, be treated in appropriate clinics.
Read: 0
