The effect of recurrent urinary tract infections on somatic growth in children

Aim: Urinary tract infection is one of the common bacterial infections in children and may lead to substantial morbidity. In this study, the effect of recurrent urinary tract infections on the growth of children aged between 0-12 years was investigated. Material and Method: In this prospective study, 72 children who had the definite diagnosis of recurrent urinary tract infections and followed up for at least 6 months, in a period of one year in the outpatient clinic of nephrology were included. The infection was evaluated with urine culture and growth charts. Data were analyzed with Pearson and Mc Nemar chi-square tests, t-test, Mann Whitney U test and corelation analysis. Results: The mean age of the children was 42.9 months, 66.7% of those were females. Height for age and weight for age were found to be lower in 16.7% and 22.2%, respectively. Escherischia coli was the most common pathogen found in urine cultures. Renal scarring was determined in 20.8% of the subjects. While the attack numbers of urinary trcat infections were increasing, height and weight measurements for age were significantly decreasing. Weight for age was significantly low in boys at the beginning of the study. Weight for age score improved after a 6-month follow-up period. Conclusions: The treatment and the prophylaxy of the recurrent urinary tract infections resulted in a positive effect on growth of the children.