Ultrasound may obviate the need for voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) in some infants and young children with urinary tract infection (UTI), according to a study in the May issue of the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.
In the study led by Dr. Khalid Ismaili, of Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants-Reine Fabiola in Brussels, the researchers found that ultrasound detected vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in 25% of the children. VUR is a common cause of UTI that can lead to long-term risk of kidney damage.
As a result, children with positive ultrasound findings did not require VCUG exams, according to the authors.
The study team evaluated 209 children seen in the hospital's emergency department with fever and UTI. All patients first received an ultrasound exam, followed by voiding cystourethrography. Of the 209 children, 63% were girls and 75% were less than 2 years old when their UTI was diagnosed.
In other findings, the authors discovered that many children diagnosed with their first UTI are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Infection was caused by Escherichia coli in more than 90% of children; 58% of these were infected with stains resistant to ampicillin.
