Profile of children with urinary tract infection and the utility of urine dipstick as a diagnostic tool.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection is a common problem in children and its early diagnosis and treatment is important to prevent long-term complications. Urine dipstick can be an important tool in this respect. The aim of this study is to look at the utility of urine dipstick as a diagnostic tool for UTI and will also see the clinical profile of children with UTI and sensitivity pattern of antibiotics among the isolates of urine culture. METHODS: Urine samples of all children below 14 years of age who were suspected of urinary tract infection were sent for routine microscopic examination and dipstick testing. Urine culture and sensitivity were sent for those samples that were tested positive for nitrite, leucocyte esterase activity or both. For every fifth sample, which is dipstick negative, a culture and sensitivity testing was done. RESULTS: Among 110 children enrolled, 32(29%) cases had significant bacteriuria. Out of 32 culture positive cases 18(56%) were female. Fever was the main complaint (62.5%)). Escherichia Coli was isolated in 81.25% of cases. Amikacin was sensitive in 93% and amoxicillinwas resistant in 82%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value of nitrite test was 65%, 80%, 58%, 85% respectively; those of leucocyte esterase are 84%, 55%, 43%, 89% respectively; those for significant microscopic pyuria >10/hpf were 65%, 74%, 51%, 84% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: E. Coli is the commonest uropathogen in children with UTI. Amikacin is the most sensitive antibiotic against all the isolates. A positive dipstick both for nitrite and leucocyte esterase is associated with high sensitivity and specificity for urinary tract infection as compared to either of them positive alone. In addition, urine WBC ≥10/hpf is associated with high probability of UTI.

A comparative study on use of 3% saline versus 0.9% saline nebulization in children with bronchiolitis.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis is a common clinical problem in children below 2 years presenting with respiratory symptoms. As there is necrosis and sloughing of epithelial cells, edema, increased secretion of mucus causing obstruction of large and small airways we aim to see the clinical profile and the effect of use of hypertonic (3%) saline nebulization in these children. METHODS: A double blind randomized controlled trial was conducted at department of Pediatrics, in a hospital from July 2012 to August 2013. The computer generated random number was used to select the case and control group. All eligible patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: receiving inhalation of 4 ml normal (0.9%) saline or hypertonic (3%) saline. Treating physicians, researchers and nurses were all blinded of the solution. Both saline were kept in two identical containers and labeled as solution A and solution B. Patients in each group will receive three treatments on each day of hospitalization and clinical score were obtained 30 minutes before each inhalation session. RESULTS: Bronchiolitis accounted 11.26% of total admissions. Their mean age (±SD) was 8.56 (±5.013) months with range from 45 days to 24 months. A total of 53 (74%) male were enrolled in the study. Fifty-seven (79%) children were less than 12 months and 15 (21%) were 12 months - 24 months. The mean (±SD) for duration of hospital stay was 44.82 (±23.15) and 43.60 (±28.25) for 3% and 0.9% group respectively (p=0.86). Likewise, mean (SD) duration of oxygen supplementation was 32.50 (±20.44) and 34.50 (±26.03) for 3% and 0.9% group respectively (p=0.85). Moreover, time required for normalization of clinical score was 36.79 (±19.53) and 38.34 (±26.67) for 3% and 0.9% group respectively (p=0.80). CONCLUSIONS: There is no advantage of hypertonic saline over normal saline nebulization in the management bronchiolitis.