Ja. Lohr et al., HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED URINARY-TRACT INFECTIONS IN THE PEDIATRIC-PATIENT -A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY, The Pediatric infectious disease journal, 13(1), 1994, pp. 8-12
To determine through a prospective study the characteristics of hospit
al-acquired urinary tract infections (HAUTI) in children, 525 children
subjected to bladder catheterization during a hospital admission were
identified through surveillance of 12 316 admissions during a 24-mont
h period. Urine culture results were available for 296 (56.4%) of the
catheterized patients. In addition 12 noncatheterized children with a
documented HAUTI were identified. The clinical courses of all patients
with a HAUTI were followed for at least 6 months after their last HAU
TI during the study period. Forty-four patients, 1 week to 17 years of
age, with 1 or more HAUTI during a hospital unit admission were ident
ified. A total of 51 HAUTI occurred. Thirty-nine (76.5%) of the infect
ions occurred in patients subjected to catheterization. Thirty-two (10
.8%) of 296 catheterized patients developed a HAUTI. Forty-three (84.3
%) of the 51 infections were single organism infections. One HAUTI was
associated with a wound infection with the same organism and one with
a concurrent bactermia with the same organism. Relapses were seen aft
er 4 HAUTI. One reinfection was identified. There were no deaths direc
tly associated with a HAUTI. Hospitalized children subjected to urinar
y tract catheterization are at significant risk for HAUTI. Complicatio
ns are infrequent and not life-threatening.