URINARY-TRACT INFECTION IN NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

Background, The aim was to study the frequency, etiology and predispos ing factors of urinary tract infection (UTI) in children with nephroti c syndrome. Methods. A retrospective analysis of all children with nep hrotic syndrome was made to determine the occurrence of infectious com plications. Results. UTI was found to be the most common infection (40 .26%); 49 episodes of culture-positive UTI were observed in 37 childre n. All 49 episodes occurred in patients who were initially considered to be steroid nonresponders or in relapse. Fourteen of the 49 episodes (28.6%) were asymptomatic. One child had Grade IV reflux and another had a ureteric calculus. The majority of the children had no underlyin g urinary tract malformations. The children with UTI had significantly lower serum albumin (P < 0.05) and higher serum cholesterol (P < 0.00 1) concentrations than the group of 206 children without infections. N on-Escherichia coli organisms accounted for 39% of the culture isolate s. Conclusions. We believe that UTI is an important but often underdia gnosed infection in children with nephrotic syndrome.