Urologic Diagnoses Among Infants Hospitalized for Urinary Tract Infection

ObjectivesTo determine the prevalence of urologic disease among infants hospitalized for urinary tract infections (UTIs) at our institution. The prevalence of urologic anomalies among infants (<400 days old) hospitalized for UTIs has not been previously reported.MethodsWe retrospectively examined the records of all infants hospitalized for UTI at our institution, a free-standing children's hospital in the United States, for a 10-year period. Race, sex, and subsequent urologic diagnosis (using codes from the 9th edition of the International Classification of Diseases [ICD-9] were tabulated. Individual charts were reviewed to confirm documentation and workup of UTI.ResultsWe identified 914 infants hospitalized at our institution from January 1996 to December 2007, with an ICD-9-coded diagnosis of UTI. Of these 914 infants, 258 were subsequently given a urologic diagnosis. However, only 130 of these patients had well-documented UTI (14.2% of 914 children). Of this cohort, 55.4% were boys. The most common diagnoses were hydronephrosis (37.7%), vesicoureteral reflux (69.2%), and obstructive uropathy (23.1%).ConclusionsOur data have indicated that ≥14% of all infants hospitalized for UTI have urologic anomalies. Vesicoureteral reflux, obstructive uropathy, and hydronephrosis are common diagnoses. We therefore conclude that infants admitted with a diagnosis of UTI should undergo screening for anatomic abnormalities.