The natural history of bacteriuria in childhood.

ABSTRACT

Urinary tract infections are common during infancy and childhood but are easily overlooked because of the unspecific symptoms. Prevention of renal scarring and its potential long-term consequences is possible but requires an increased awareness of the diagnosis, the imaging revealing anomalies within the urinary tract, and the long-term supervision. This should include any possibility of the child having pyelonephritic recurrences, which should be treated without delay; however, asymptomatic bacteriuria in infants and children is an innocent condition and screening is not recommended.