Perinatal factors in patent ductus arteriosus in very low-birthweight infants.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between hemoglobin and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) has not been discussed before. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of hemoglobin and perinatal factors on PDA in very low-birthweight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: Using data from the Premature Baby Foundation of Taiwan (PBFA), the characteristics, perinatal factors, and hemoglobin of VLBW infants with and without PDA and treatment were compared. RESULTS: Between January 2008 and December 2010, 89 VLBW infants were admitted to hospital. The overall survival rate was 87.6%. Twelve infants were excluded. Compared to those without PDA, the 34 infants with PDA received oral indomethacin or surgery, had smaller mean gestational age (GA; 27.93 ± 1.818 weeks, P = 0.000003), lower mean birthweight (BW; 1031 ± 259 g, P = 0.0001), significantly lower Apgar score at 5 min, more severe respiratory distress syndrome (RDS; grade 3 or 4), greater use of surfactants, and lower mean hemoglobin (P = 0.018) after birth than those without PDA. Compared to those with indomethacin, the seven infants with surgery had lower mean GA (26.43 ± 1.718 weeks, P = 0.011), significantly lower Apgar scores at 1 min, but higher platelet count (P = 0.002) after birth, and more red blood cell transfusions (P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Smaller GA, lower BW, lower Apgar score at 5 min, more severe RDS, greater use of surfactants, and lower hemoglobin after birth place VLBW infants at greater risk of PDA. Proper prenatal care, and prevention of premature labor and delivery may be the most important preventative factors. The appropriate hemoglobin level for PDA closure requires further investigation.

Neonatal outcomes in infants conceived using assisted reproductive technologies: A single medical center cohort study.

BACKGROUND: A significant rise in the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been observed, but concerns about its impact on neonatal outcomes have been considered. The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to determine the association between ART and the risk of neonatal complications and congenital anomalies within a recent time period. METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled infants born after 20 weeks of gestation at a tertiary hospital in Taiwan between January 2019 and December 2021. The study population was divided into two groups: (1) ART pregnancy group and (2) natural pregnancy group. Maternal and neonatal characteristics, pregnancy complications, and neonatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was used to adjust for maternal characteristics, preexisting maternal conditions, pregnancy complications, delivery methods, and infant characteristics. RESULTS: This study enrolled 1770 infants comprising 289 in the ART pregnancy group and 1481 in the natural pregnancy group. The ART pregnancy group showed higher rates of multiple births, preterm births, low birth weights, and longer hospitalization periods. In the stratified analyses that were conducted on singleton births, no significant difference was observed. In the case of multiple births, lower rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and respiratory support were observed in the ART pregnancy group. After adjusting for maternal and infant characteristics, ART was not considered a significant risk factor for adverse neonatal outcomes, including mortality, complications, and congenital anomalies. CONCLUSION: Although ART pregnancies were more likely to result in multiple births and furthermore adverse outcomes, ART itself was not associated with an increased risk of poor neonatal outcomes. By implementing measures to control the number of implanted embryos, ensuring appropriate prenatal screening, and providing comprehensive postnatal care, the risks associated with increased multiple pregnancies caused by ART may be reduced.

Risk factors for urinary tract infection in infants with unexplained hyperbilirubinemia: a single center case-control study.

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a potential cause of neonatal jaundice. Nevertheless, there remains a lack of consensus regarding appropriate screening practices for UTI in infants with hyperbilirubinemia. This study aimed to analyze a group of jaundiced infants to assess the prevalence of UTI, explore potential risk factors, and examine the impact of UTI on the course and severity of neonatal jaundice. Methods: This retrospective case-control study was conducted on 150 jaundiced infants (aged < 8 weeks) without a known etiology in the hyperbilirubinemia work-up. All subjects underwent phototherapy treatment and UTI screening by catheterization. They were then classified into UTI and non-UTI groups based on urine culture results, with a positive urine culture indicating the growth of ≥10,000 colony-forming units. The clinical characteristics and jaundice-related parameters of both groups were analyzed. Results: Among the 150 jaundiced patients, the prevalence of UTI was 29%. There was a significantly higher male predominance in the UTI group, and patients with UTI also had a significantly longer duration of hospitalization compared to those without UTI. Significant risk factors associated with UTI in jaundiced infants included male gender and a peak total bilirubin level higher than 18 mg/dl during hospitalization. The most common pathogens identified in urine culture were Escherichia coli (41.9%) and Enterococcus faecalis (30.2%). Conclusion: In cases of neonatal jaundice where the underlying cause is not evident, screening for UTI should be performed, particularly when associated risk factors or inadequate response to phototherapy is present.

Characterization of young infants with fecal carriage of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli in Southern Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: The accelerating prevalence of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing and multidrug-resistance (MDR) Escherichia coli(E. coli) become a public health challenge worldwide. This study aimed to discuss the prevalence of drug-resistant E. coli colonization and analyze its risk factors and clinical characteristics among young infants in Southern Taiwan. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from young infants, aged less than three months, within three days of their hospitalization from September to December 2019 in a tertiary hospital. A questionnaire was designed for parents to complete. E. coli colonies were selected and analyzed for antimicrobial susceptibility. PCR-based multilocus sequence typing was to detect the presence of sequence type ST131 and blaCTX-M genes. RESULTS: Among 100 enrolled infants, 36% had fecal carriage of E. coli isolates, of which twenty nine (80.5%) were MDR, thirteen (36.1%) were ESBL-producing isolates and five (13.8%) and ten (27.7%) were ST131 and strains carrying CTX-M-14 gene, respectively. Compared to non-ST131 and non-CTX-M-14 gene carrier, isolates of ST131 and CTX-M-14 gene carrier showed a significantly higher resistance rate to cefixime, ceftriaxone, and gentamycin, with p value all <0.05. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ESBL-producing and MDR E. coli fecal carriage were both high in young infants. The most common sequence type is ST131, of which all are strains carrying CTX-M-14. Further surveillance and investigation to control for the high prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli fecal carriage among infants in Taiwan are warranted.

Uropathogens and clinical manifestations of pyuria-negative urinary tract infections in young infants: A single center cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Urine leukocyte count under microscopy is one of the most frequently used routine screening tests for urinary tract infection (UTI). Nevertheless, it is observed that pyuria is lacking in 10-25% of children with UTI. This study aims to determine the factors related to pyuria-negative UTI in young infants aged under four months old. METHOD: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 157 patients aged under 4 months old with UTI. All subjects had paired urinalysis and urine culture, which were collected via transurethral catheterization. According to the results of their urinalysis, the patients were then classified as UTI cases with pyuria and UTI cases without pyuria. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of both groups were analyzed. RESULT: Among the 157 UTI patients, the prevalence of pyuria-negative UTI was 44%. Significant risk factors associated with pyuria-negative UTI included non-E.coli pathogens, younger age, shorter duration of fever prior to hospital visit, lower white blood cell (WBC) count upon hospital visit, and absence of microscopic hematuria. CONCLUSIONS: We found that non-E.coli uropathogens were the strongest factor related to pyuria-negative UTI. The absence of pyuria cannot exclude the diagnosis of UTI in young infants, and it's reasonable to perform both urinalysis and urine culture as a part of the assessment of febrile or ill-looking young infants.

Detection of Aichi virus with antibody targeting of conserved viral protein 1 epitope.

Aichi virus (AiV) is an emerging single-stranded, positive-sense, non-enveloped RNA virus in the Picornaviridae that causes acute gastroenteritis in humans. The first case of AiV infection in Taiwan was diagnosed in a human neonate with enterovirus-associated symptoms; the virus was successfully isolated and propagated. To establish a method to detect AiV, we analyzed the antigen epitope and generated a polyclonal antibody against AiV viral protein 1 (VP1). This peptide-purified anti-AiV VP1 antibody showed high specificity against AiV VP1 without cross-reaction to nine other tested strains of Picornaviruses. The anti-AiV VP1 antibody was used in immunofluorescence analysis, immunoblotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to elucidate the cell tropism and replication kinetics of AiV. Use of the anti-AiV VP1 antibody also revealed AiV infection restriction with interferon type I and polyI/C antiviral treatment. The AiV infection and detection system may provide an in vitro platform for AiV virology study.

Pulmonary hemorrhage in very low-birthweight infants: risk factors and management.

BACKGROUND: Beginning 2007, the intratracheal route of epinephrine to end massive pulmonary hemorrhage (MPH) in very low-birthweight (VLBW) infants was modified at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital. The aim of the present study was to assess the change in outcomes for these infants, and to evaluate the risk factors of MPH. METHODS: Using the database of the Premature Baby Foundation of Taiwan, the mortality, risk factors and characteristics of VLBW infants with or without MPH were compared between 2000-2006 and 2007-2010. RESULTS: Between January 2000 and December 2010, 399 VLBW infants were admitted to Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital. Mean birthweight (BW) was 1099.6 ± 272.7 g, and mean gestational age (GA) was 28.7 ± 2.9 weeks. The overall survival rate was 84.2%. Sixteen (4%) had MPH: 11 in the first group (2000-2006; 18.2% survival rate), and five in the second group (2007-2010; 80% survival rate; P= 0.0000002). Infants with MPH had lower mean BW (864.9 ± 301.4 g, P= 0.0004), smaller mean GA (26.1 ± 2.0 weeks, P= 0.0002), significantly lower Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min, higher severity of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS; grades 3 or 4), and greater use of surfactant than infants without MPH. They also had more intraventricular hemorrhage and higher mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Smaller GA, lower BW, lower Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min, severe RDS (grades 3 or 4), and use of surfactant place VLBW infants at greater risk of MPH. Proper prenatal care and preventing premature labor and delivery were the most important preventative factors. A quick, deep thrust of intratracheal epinephrine with a catheter may improve survival.

Prevalence and household risk factors for fecal carriage of ESBL-producing, sequence type 131, and extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli among children in southern Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: The rapidly increasing prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a global concern. This study determined the prevalence and risk factors for the fecal carriage of drug-resistant E. coli and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) among children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, stool samples from children aged 0-18 years were obtained within three days of hospitalization between April 2016 and March 2019. E. coli were selected and tested for extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-production and antimicrobial susceptibility. Multilocus sequence typing, blaCTX-M gene groups and ExPEC were determined using polymerase chain reactions. Questionnaires were recorded for risk factor analysis. RESULTS: Among 179 E. coli isolates, 44.1% were multi-drug resistant, 20.7% produced ESBL, and 50.3% were ExPEC. Children carrying ESBL-producing E. coli were younger than those carrying non-ESBL strains. Several anthropogenic factors, including drinking water process, pork consumption, pets and household density might be associated with ESBL-producing E. coli, sequence type (ST) 131 E. coli, or ExPEC fecal carriage. Compared with families who live in less crowded houses, participants with pets had a similar trend of higher risks of ESBL-producing E. coli, ST131 E. coli, and ExPEC fecal carriage among those living in houses accommodating relatively more people. CONCLUSIONS: Children accounted for a large proportion of instances of feces carrying ESBL E. coli. In addition to antimicrobial control for people and livestocks, avenues of exposure, such as drinking water, food, pets, household density, and socioeconomic deprivation might present potentially novel opportunities to reduce the burden of nonsusceptible E. coli and ExPEC.

21-hydroxylase autoantibody-negative Addison's disease in a 5-year-old boy with adrenal crisis and type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have an increased risk of other autoimmune disorders. The combination of Addison's disease with T1DM and/or autoimmune thyroid disease is known as autoimmune polyendocrinopathy type 2 (APS-2). 21-hydroxylase autoantibody (21OHAb) is considered as a valuable marker for identifying patients with autoimmune Addison's disease (AD); however, it is not available in some countries. Here we present a 5-year-old boy with newly diagnosed T1DM, who developed AD with adrenal crisis within only six months, and after 1-year treatment, the test of 21OHAb was negative. This was a rare and the first APS-2 case in Taiwan, because APS-2 affects female adults more often, but not boys. At diagnosis of T1DM, we suggest that checking diurnal cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels as a baseline evaluations, and if it is available, checking 21OHAb as well. If there is subtle evidence of AD, such as unexplained hypoglycemia or unreasonably reduced insulin requirements, adrenal functions must be studied as soon as possible, even in the 21OHAb-negative T1DM patients. Even if nothing is abnormal, the patient still needs an annual measurement.

Multiple clinical manifestations and diagnostic challenges of incontinentia pigmenti--12 years' experience in 1 medical center.

BACKGROUND: Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) is a rare X-linked dominant disorder that involves ectodermal tissues of multiple systems. Previous reports are few in Taiwan. To contribute toward better understanding of IP, we describe and discuss the clinical features of cases that were diagnosed in a medical center during the past 12 years. METHODS: The medical records of all patients with IP between July 1995 and June 2007 were reviewed retrospectively. The demographics, physical findings, pathology reports, molecular study reports, eosinophil counts and outcome were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 4 patients, 3 female and 1 male neonate, who met the criteria for the diagnosis of IP were enrolled. Among these cases, 3 were not diagnosed with IP at initial presentation but were regarded to have infectious diseases. A definite family history of 3 consecutive generations was proved not only by clinical manifestations but also by molecular study in 1 patient. The patient also had retinal and vitreous body hemorrhage, which rapidly progressed to retinal detachment of the right eye in 2 months. Another patient presenting with stage III hyperpigmentation at birth had an extremely rare finding of left foot deformity. The male patient had unilateral and localized vesicular lesions over his left thigh. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of IP is difficult in the neonatal period. Referral to experienced specialists is necessary. Multiple clinical characteristics of IP and rapid progression of ophthalmologic manifestations can be demonstrated through our study. Furthermore, 3 of the 4 cases in our study are the very first reports in Taiwan.

Human Parechovirus Infection in Children in Taiwan: a Retrospective, Single-Hospital Study.

To understand human parechovirus (HPeV) infections in Taiwanese children, we analyzed data for 112 children (age≤10 years) with HPeV infection diagnosed between July 2007 and June 2016 in a medical center in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan. The patients were infected with HPeV1 (n=94), HPeV3 (n=3), HPeV4 (n=3), HPeV6 (n=1) and non-typeable HPeV (n=11). We compared the clinical implications for children younger than 3 months (n=56) and 3 months and older (n=31), excluding 25 children with concomitant infections. Fever was noted in almost half of the children younger than 3 months but was more frequent in older than in younger children (83.9% vs 46.4%). As compared with older children, children younger than 3 months had a lower incidence of respiratory symptoms (30.1% vs 83.9%), more frequently required intensive care unit admission (28.6% vs 3.2%), and had longer hospital stays (mean 10.95 vs 5.13 days). Importantly, about one-third of the children were suspected to have hospital-acquired or cluster infections in the environment of medical institutions, with a significantly high proportion of 42.9% (24/56) in younger infants. Hospital-acquired infections might play a key role in the spread of HPeV, especially in children younger than 3 months.

Maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension increases subsequent neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis risk: A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study in Taiwan.

The utero-placental ischemia induced by pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) could lead to fetal hypoxia and proinflammatory cytokine release, which are associated with the development of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). However, a few studies have investigated the relationship between PIH and neonatal NEC and have produced controversial results. Therefore, we attempted to assess the relationship between PIH and the subsequent neonatal NEC risk and identify predictive risk factors.Patients with newly diagnosed PIH were recruited from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). For each participant, 4 age- and delivery-year-matched participants without PIH were randomly selected. A multivariable logistic regression was performed for the identification of the predictive risk factors for neonatal NEC.Among the 23.3 million individuals registered in the NHIRD, 29,013 patients with PIH and 116,052 matched controls were identified. For the multivariable analysis, maternal PIH was associated with an increased risk of subsequent neonatal NEC development (odds ratio [OR] 1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-3.21, P = .026). Furthermore, single parity (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.12-3.77, P = .019), preterm birth (OR 5.97, 95% CI 3.49-10.20, P < .001), multiple gestations (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.22-4.14, P = .010), and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (OR 3.59, 95% CI 2.06-6.24, P < .001) were independent risk factors for the development of subsequent neonatal NEC.Maternal PIH increases the risk for developing neonatal NEC. Furthermore, primiparity, preterm birth, multiple gestations, and IUGR were independent risk factors for neonatal NEC.

Parechovirus A Detection by a Comprehensive Approach in a Clinical Laboratory.

Parechovirus A (Human parechovirus, HPeV) causes symptoms ranging from severe neonatal infection to mild gastrointestinal and respiratory disease. Use of molecular approaches with RT-PCR and genotyping has improved the detection rate of HPeV. Conventional methods, such as viral culture and immunofluorescence assay, together with molecular methods facilitate comprehensive viral diagnosis. To establish the HPeV immunofluorescence assay, an antibody against HPeV capsid protein VP0 was generated by using antigenic epitope prediction data. The specificity of the anti-HPeV VP0 antibody was demonstrated on immunofluorescence assay, showing that this antibody was specific for HPeV but not enteroviruses. A total of 74 HPeV isolates, 7 non⁻polio-enteroviruses and 12 HPeV negative cell culture supernatant were used for evaluating the efficiency of the anti-HPeV VP0 antibody. The sensitivity of HPeV detection by the anti-HPeV VP0 antibody was consistent with 5'untranslated region (UTR) RT-PCR analysis. This study established comprehensive methods for HPeV detection that include viral culture and observation of cytopathic effect, immunofluorescence assay, RT-PCR and genotyping. The methods were incorporated into our routine clinical practice for viral diagnosis. In conclusion, this study established a protocol for enterovirus and HPeV virus identification that combines conventional and molecular methods and would be beneficial for HPeV diagnosis.

Complete genome sequence of the first human parechovirus type 3 isolated in Taiwan.

The first human parechovirus 3 (HPeV3 VGHKS-2007) in Taiwan was identified from a clinical specimen from a male infant. The entire genome of the HPeV3 isolate was sequenced and compared to known HPeV3 sequences. Genome alignment data showed that HPeV3 VGHKS-2007 shares the highest nucleotide identity, 99%, with the Japanese strain of HPeV3 1361K-162589-Yamagata-2008. All HPeV3 isolates possess at least 97% amino acid identity. The analysis of the genome sequence of HPeV3 VGHKS-2007 will facilitate future investigations of the epidemiology and pathogenicity of HPeV3 infection.

Mycobacterium abscessus cervical lymphadenitis: an immunocompetent child.

Nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) is one of the well-known causes of cervicofacial lymphadenopathy in children under 5 years of age. Children often present with a painless cervical mass that fails to respond to conventional antibiotics. They are often referred under the suspicion of a neoplasm or bacterial adenitis rather than NTM cervical lymphadenitis. The lack of systemic symptoms, modest or negative purified protein derivative test and absence of exposure to active tuberculosis are characteristics of NTM lymphadenitis. The diagnosis usually requires the isolation of pathogen or pathologic proof. Complete excision is the choice of treatment by the majority of authors in the literature. This not only enables rapid diagnosis but ensures the lowest recurrence rate. Medical management is sometimes successful when complete resection is impossible or refused. To our knowledge, the incidence of NTM cervical lymphadenitis in children is increasing throughout the world. However, such reports of children in Taiwan is lacking. Clinicians should suspect a possible nontuberculous mycobacterial infection when a cervical lump is found in a child.

49, XXXXY syndrome with severe vesico-ureteral reflux and hydronephrosis: report of one case.

The 49, XXXXY syndrome was first reported in 1960. It represents a rare sex chromosome aneuploidy syndrome. Some consider it as the most severe variant of Klinefelter syndrome (47, XXY). The approximate incidence is 1 in 85,000 male births. The karyotype arises from maternal non-disjunction during both meiosis I and meiosis II. The clinical presentations of 49, XXXXY syndrome include mental deficiency, hypogonadism, severe speech delay, multiple skeletal anomalies, cardiac defects and characteristic facial features. It might be mistaken for Down syndrome and needs chromosome analysis for confirmation. According to literature review, urinary tract anomaly in association with 49, XXXXY syndrome was extremely rare. Here we report a case of 49, XXXXY with Down syndrome-like facial dysmorphism, who was found to have patent ductus arteriosus and hypotonia. Moreover, he also got grade V vesico-ureteral reflux, R't with hydronephrosis and urinary tract infection. We hope to remind clinicians to arrange chromosomal analysis if multiple congenital anomalies exist in a neonate. And remember to exclude congenital genitourinary tract anomaly if karyotype 49, XXXXY is diagnosed.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae infection: report of one case.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) most commonly follows an episode of gastroenteritis associated with Escherichia coli (O157:H7). S. pneumoniae-associated HUS is rare and has been reported having a high morbidity and mortality rate. We present a 1-year-5-month-old girl who developed S. pneumoniae-associated HUS and positive T-activation testing. She received antibiotics, washed red blood cell transfusion and early continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration treatment. She had chronic renal failure but was without other sequelae after 8 months, follow-up. Early dialysis intervention in S. pneumoiae-induced HUS patients decreasing the morbidity and mortality rate is discussed, and the literature is reviewed.

Genome and infection characteristics of human parechovirus type 1: the interplay between viral infection and type I interferon antiviral system.

Human parechoviruses (HPeVs), members of the family Picornaviridae, are associated with severe human clinical conditions such as gastrointestinal disease, encephalitis, meningitis, respiratory disease and neonatal sepsis. A new contemporary strain of HPeV1, KVP6 (accession no. KC769584), was isolated from a clinical specimen. Full-genome alignment revealed that HPeV1 KVP6 shares high genome homology with the German strain of HPeV1, 7555312 (accession no. FM178558) and could be classified in the clade 1B group. An intertypic recombination was shown within the P2-P3 genome regions of HPeV1. Cell-type tropism test showed that T84 cells (colon carcinoma cells), A549 cells (lung carcinoma cells) and DBTRG-5MG cells (glioblastoma cells) were susceptible to HPeV1 infection, which might be relevant clinically. A facilitated cytopathic effect and increased viral titers were reached after serial viral passages in Vero cells, with viral genome mutation found in later passages. HPeV1 is sensitive to elevated temperature because 39C incubation impaired virion production. HPeV1 induced innate immunity with phosphorylation of interferon (IFN) regulatory transcription factor 3 and production of type I IFN in A549 but not T84 cells. Furthermore, type I IFN inhibited HPeV1 production in A549 cells but not T84 cells; T84 cells may be less responsive to type I IFN stimulation. Moreover, HPeV1-infected cells showed downregulated type I IFN activation, which indicated a type I IFN evasion mechanism. The characterization of the complete genome and infection features of HPeV1 provide comprehensive information about this newly isolated HPeV1 for further diagnosis, prevention or treatment strategies.

Complete genome sequence of the first aichi virus isolated in taiwan.

The first Aichi virus (AiV), kvgh99012632/2010, was identified in Taiwan. The entire genome of the AiV isolate was sequenced and compared to known AiV sequences. Genome alignment revealed that the Taiwan AiV strain shares 96.3% nucleotide and 99% amino acid identities with the German strain D/VI2287/2004.

Urinary tract infection in infants: a single-center clinical analysis in southern Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: This study summarized the epidemiology, etiology, and susceptibility of pathogens to antibiotics, and specific characteristics in infants aged less than 4 months diagnosed with urinary tract infection in the past decade in Taiwan. METHODS: The medical charts of patients aged less than 4 months admitted for urinary tract infection to Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital between January 2001 and December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 132 patients, with male predominance (68.9%), were enrolled. The top three pathogens were similar to those identified in previous studies in Taiwan. The most common pathogen, Escherichia coli (85.3%), was resistant to ampicillin (75.9%), followed by sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (31.7%), and cefazolin (28.5%). Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scan revealed 34.5% positive findings, while the vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) rate was 37.8% by direct radionuclide voiding cystography and/or voiding cysto-urethrography. Positive DMSA findings significantly correlated with VUR (p<0.001) and higher C-reactive protein level (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: E coli was the most common pathogen in the present cohort, and the top three pathogens were similar to those found in general pediatric population in Taiwan. VUR was the most common genitourinary tract anomaly in this age group. Positive DMSA was well correlated with VUR and higher C-reactive protein level.