Risk Factors and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Uropathogens in Algerian Children with Urinary Tract Infection

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary tract infection is a common disease of great relevance. Objective: To identify risk factors and antimicrobial susceptibility of uropathogens in children with urinary tract infection. Methods: Descriptive, prospective, observational study in children under 18 years of age with urinary tract infection, treated at the Khahill Abdelouahab Maternal-Child Hospital, in 2023. The study population was 83 children. The variables studied were age, sex, risk factors, clinical manifestations, underlying disease, isolated germ and antimicrobial susceptibility. The information obtained was recorded in Microsoft Excel. The results are presented using descriptive statistics. Results: 56.6% were female and 43.4% were infants under six months of age. The most prominent risk factors were prolonged exposure to feces in diapers in 51.8% and inadequate breastfeeding in 46.9%. The predominant clinical manifestations were fever in 83.1%, vomiting in 62.7 % and diarrhea in 44.6 %. Pyelonephritis occurred in 73.5 % of patients. Anemia and malnutrition were common underlying diseases. Escherichia coli was isolated in 89.1% of urine cultures. The sensitivity study for this uropathogen obtained 56.6% for Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole, 60.2% for Ampicillin and 73.5 % for Amoxicillin/Clavulanate. Conclusions: urinary tract infections in children are linked to biological risk factors and family hygiene and feeding practices that can be modified with health promotion and prevention, from the Primary Care Level.