Kidney ultrasound detects urinary tract abnormality in 25 percent Children with first febrile UTI

Controversy exists on the clinical utility of kidney ultrasonography after first febrile urinary tract infection (UTI), and clinical practice guideline recommendations vary. A study was done to determine the prevalence of urinary tract abnormalities detected on kidney ultrasonography after the first febrile UTI in children.

Twenty-nine studies were included, with a total of 9170 children. Of the 27 studies that reported participant sex, the median percentage of males was 60%

The prevalence of abnormalities detected on renal ultrasonography was 22.1% and 21.9% The prevalence of clinically important abnormalities was 3.1% and 4.5%

Study recruitment bias was associated with a higher prevalence of abnormalities.

The most common findings detected were hydronephrosis, pelviectasis, and dilated ureter. Urinary tract obstruction was identified in 0.4%, and surgical intervention occurred in 1.4% One study reported health care utilization. No study reported parent-reported outcomes.

Yang S, Gill PJ, Anwar MR, et al. Kidney Ultrasonography After First Febrile Urinary Tract Infection in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr. Published online May 30, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.1387

Kidney, ultrasound, detects, urinary, tract, abnormality, 25 percent, Children, first, febrile, UTI, Yang S, Gill PJ, Anwar MR,JAMA Pediatrics