Urinary Tract Infections in Infants and Children
CASE HISTORY AND OFFICE DIAGNOSIS A 7-month-old uncircumcised male infant had vomiting, diarrhea, and low grade fever (38.4°C) 2 days before coming to the pediatrician's office. One day before seeing the baby, the physician prescribed Pedialyte and acetaminophen elixir. The child appeared active to the pediatrician. Mucous membranes were slightly dry and tears were present. His blood pressure was 98/62 mm Hg, pulse rate 92 beats per minute, and temperature 38°C. Laboratory evaluation included an analysis and culture of catheterized urine sample: specific gravity, 1.025; pH, 6.0; protein, trace; blood, negative; sugar and ketones, negative; sediment—0 to 1 red blood cells per high-power field; 6 to 8 white blood cells per high-power-field and no bacteria. Based on the differential diagnosis of viral gastroenteritis vs urinary tract infection, the patient was sent home with a prescription for Pedialyte and acetaminophen and the parents were told to call the office in 24 hours for test results. The urine culture was positive for greater than 100 000 colonies per milliliter of a single organism which was later identified as Escherichia coli and sensitive to all antibiotics. The child was started on a regimen of amoxicillin. Two weeks later, a repeat urine culture was negative for bacteria.