Comparison of Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Pediatric Patients Diagnosed with E. coli and non-E. E. coli Urinary Tract Infections

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of E. coli and non-E. E. coli bacteria and contribute to the determination of empirical antibiotic treatment with the retrospective evaluation of urinary tract infection (UTI) patients diagnosed in our clinic. Material and Methods: The data of patients aged 0 to 16 years, who were diagnosed with UTI in our clinic between 2018 and 2021, were retrospectively evaluated by using digital medical records. Patients with E. coli and non-E. E. coli growth in urine culture were defined as possible participants. Sixty-six patients were included in each study group. Results: Our study was conducted on 132 children. The rate of E. coli infection was higher among female patients. Underlying risk factors were found in 47% of children. Regarding the E. coli group, urinary erythrocyte and bacterial counts were higher in the non-E. coli group. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, urea, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen values were higher in patients with urinary system anomalies compared to those without urinary system anomalies. Antibiogram results demonstrated a high rate of antibiotic resistance in both groups. Conclusion: In our study, the underlying risk factors were more common in patients with non-E. E. coli, , and abnormality in urinary tract imaging was more frequent. In addition, high rates of antibiotic resistance were determined in our study. We conclude that antibiotics should be chosen very carefully, and the healthcare personnel should be educated in unnecessary antibiotic use.