Urology: UTIs & Vulvovaginitis Flashcards
What is the most common causative organism for UTIs in children?
E. coli
What are some risk factors for UTIs in young people?
- Age <1 y/o
- Female (however in children <3 months UTIs are more common in boys)
- Caucasian
- Previous UTI
- Voiding dysfunction
- Vesicoureteral reflex (VUR)
- Sexual abuse: can cause urinary symptoms but infection is uncommon
- Spinal abnormalities
- Constipation
- Immunosuppression
However, in most cases there will be no associated risk factors.
Clinical features of UTIs in neonates & infants (<3 months)?
1) Non-specific:
- fever
- hypothermia
- jaundice
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- lethargy
- failure to thrive
2) Respiratory distress or apnoea
3) Abdominal distension
Clinical features of UTIs in infants & toddlers (3 months - 2 years)?
1) Generalised symptoms:
- fever
- irritability
- poor appetite or vomiting
2) Strong smelling urine or diaper rash
Clinical features of UTIs in preschool & school aged children (2-12 years)?
1) LUTS:
- dysuria
- frequency
- urgency
- haematuria
2) Systemic symptoms:
- fever with chills (more common with pyelonephritis)
- abdo pain
In all children presenting with a fever, what is it is important to measure?
1) temp
2) HR
3) RR
4) CRT
Acute pyelonephritis/upper UTI should be suspected in children with what?
1) temperature of 38 degrees or higher and bacteriuria
2) temperature lower than 38 degrees with loin pain/tenderness and bacteriuria
What examinations should be done in suspected UTI in children?
- Throat & cervical nodes
- Abdomen: constipation, masses and tender or palpable kidney
- Back: look for stigmata of spina bifida or sacral agenesis
- Genitalia: look for phismosis, labial adhesions, vulvitis, or epdidymo-orchitis
Investigations in suspected UTI in children?
1) Urine dipstick
2) MSU sample (‘clean catch’ sample, avoiding contamination) –> if unexplained temperature of ≥ 38 degrees
When should a urine sample be sent for in children?
All infants with an unexplained temperature of 38 degrees or more should have their urine sent for microscopy and culture within 24 hours.
What 2 findings on a urine dipstick indicate a UTI in children?
Nitrites & leukocytes
What are next steps if leukocytes or nitrites are present on a urine dipstick?
Nitrites & leukocytes –> send MSU for culture, treated as UTI
Only nitrites –> treat as UTI
Only leukocytes –> don’t treat as UTI unless there is clinical evidence they have one
Neither –> UTI unlikely
Management of all infants <3 months with a suspected UTI (e.g. unexplain
Refer immediately to pediatrician
Management of children aged >3 months with lower UTI?
3 days oral Abx according to local guidelines (usually trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin, cefalexin or amoxicillin)
Management of children aged >3 months with upper UTI?
Consider admission for IV Abx.
If not admitted oral Abx such as cephalosporin or co-amoxiclav should be given for 7-10 days
What are the 4 typical Abx choices for UTIs?
1) Trimethoprim
2) Nitrofurantoin
3) Cefalexin
4) Amoxicillin
What imaging may be indicated in UTIs in children?
US
When is an US indicated for UTIs in children?
1) All children <6 months with their first UTI –> US within 6 weeks, or during infection if atypical/recurrent UTI
2) All children with recurrent UTIs –> within 6 weeks
3) All children with atypical UTIs –> during the illness
When should children with atypical UTIs have an abdo US?
During the illness
When should children with recurrent UTIs have an abdo US?
Within 6 weeks
What are some features of an atypical UTI?
- poor urine flow
- abdo or bladder mass
- raised creatinine
- sepsis
- failure to respond to treatment within 48h
- non E.coli organism
What is the definition of a ‘recurrent’ UTI?
1) Two or more episodes of upper UTI (pyelonephritis)
2) One episode of upper UTI and one episode of lower UTI
3) Three episodes of lower UTI
What information can an US give in UTIs?
- renal size
- can identify most congenital abnormalities
- renal calculi
- hydronephrosis: indicating the presence of obstruction or severe reflux
What does hydronephrosis indicate?
Presence of obstruction or severe reflux
What investigation can assess for damage from recurrent or atypical UTIs?
DMSA (Dimercaptosuccinic Acid) Scan
What does a DMSA scan involve?
Injecting a radioactive material (DMSA) and using a gamma camera to assess how well the material is taken up by the kidneys.
Where there are patches of kidney that have not taken up the material, this indicates scarring that may be the result of previous infection.
When is a DMSA scan done in UTIs?
4-6 months after infection
What is vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR)?
Where urine has a tendency to flow from the bladder back into the ureters.
This predisposes patients to developing upper UTIs and subsequent renal scarring.
What is the gold standard for diagnosing VUR?
Micturating cystourethrogram (MCUG).
Note - this imaging technique is invasive and requires catheterisation.
What imaging technique is the gold standard for detecting renal parenchyma defects and scarring?
DMSA Scintigraphy
Management of VUR?
Depends on severity:
- Avoid constipation
- Avoid an excessively full bladder
- Prophylactic antibiotics
- Surgical input from paediatric urology
What is vulvovaginitis?
Inflammation and irritation of the vulva and vagina.
This irritation is caused by sensitive and thin skin and mucosa around the vulva and vagina in young girls –> vagina more prone to colonisation and infection with bacteria spread from faeces.
Who does vulvovaginitis affect?
It is a common condition often affecting girls between the ages of 3 and 10 years.
What can vulvovaginitis be exacerbated by?
- wet nappies
- use of chemicals or soaps in cleanin the area
- tight clothing that traps moisture or sweat in the area
- poor toilet hygiene
- constipation
- threadworms
- pressure on the area e.g. horse riding
- heavily chlorinated pools
Why is vulvovaginitis much less common after puberty?
As oestrogen helps keep the skin and vaginal mucosa healthy and resistant to infection.
Presenting features of vulvovaginitis?
- soreness
- itching
- erythema around the labia
- vaginal discharge
- dysuria
- constipation