Renal ultrasonography should be done routinely in children with first urinary tract infections

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the consequences of renal ultrasonography (RUS) in the treatment of children younger than 5 years of age with a first febrile urinary tract infection.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the results of imaging studies, including RUS, computed tomography, and voiding cystourethrography in children with a first febrile urinary tract infection during a 2-year period. Children with known urologic anomalies, other underlying diseases, or simultaneous combined illnesses were excluded. Children with nephromegaly were diagnosed with acute lobar nephronia by computed tomography.

Results: A total of 390 children were included in this study. Of the 390 children, 112 (28.7%) had abnormal RUS findings. The children with abnormal RUS findings of nephromegaly, small kidney, intermittent hydronephrosis, or a double collecting system had a significantly greater incidence of vesicoureteral reflux than children with normal RUS findings. Additionally, the occurrence of high-grade vesicoureteral reflux in children with abnormal RUS findings was more frequent than in children with normal RUS findings.

Conclusions: The results of our study indicate that it is worth performing RUS in children with a first febrile urinary tract infection because abnormal kidney size or other specific structural ultrasound findings should be investigated, in addition to isolated hydronephrosis.