Assessing the Utility of Urine Testing in Febrile Infants Aged 2 to 12 Months with Bronchiolitis

Marsha A. Elkhunovich, Vincent J. Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives The aims of the study were to investigate whether the prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in febrile infants aged 2 to 12 months with bronchiolitis is higher than the presumed prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (1%) in similarly aged patients and thus to determine whether UTI testing is necessary for these patients. Methods This was a prospective cohort study in which we enrolled a convenience sample of febrile infants aged 2 to 12 months with a clinical diagnosis of bronchiolitis. All patients were seen in the emergency department at a large children's hospital between November 1, 2011 and April 15, 2012, had reported or documented fever higher than 38°C, and had urine collected for determination of the presence of UTI. After the conclusion of enrollment, a chart review was conducted to assess missed cases. Results Positive urine cultures were found in 6/90 (6.7%) patients (confidence interval, 2.5%-13.9%). The positive urine cultures and urinalysis results were found in 4/90 (4.5%) patients (confidence interval, 1.2%-11%). Conclusions In our patient population, a significant proportion of infants aged 2 to 12 months who present with bronchiolitis and fever have a concurrent UTI. Obtaining a urine specimen for UTI testing should be considered in infants aged 2 to 12 months with bronchiolitis and fever. A larger multicenter study is needed to further assess the risk factors for UTIs in this patient population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)616-620
Number of pages5
JournalPediatric Emergency Care
Volume31
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • bacteriuria
  • bronchiolitis
  • fever
  • infant
  • urinary tract infection

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Emergency Medicine

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