Risk factors for community acquired pediatric urinary tract infection with extended-spectrum-b-lactamase Escherichia coli- A case-control study

Introduction Community-acquired (CA) infections caused by extended-spectrum b-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli urinary tract infections (UTI) have become increasingly prevalent, posing a serious threat to public health. Risk factors for ESBL UTI have not been extensively studied in the pediatric population. We report findings from a case control study to identify risk factors for CA ESBL-producing E. coli UTI in children.Materials and method A cohort of children with CA ESBL Escherichia coli UTI evaluated at a tertiary referral hospital from January 2014 through April 2021, were matched 1:3 with control group of non-ESBL CA E. coli UTI based on age at first episode of non-ESBL UTI. To identify potential risk factors for ESBL E. coli UTI, condi-tional logistic regression model was utilized ac-counting for age matching. Univariate models were fitted for each clinical risk factor. Factors found to be significantly associated with ESBL UTI were simultaneously included in a single model to check for associations adjusted for all other factors.Results On conditional multivariate analyses for univariate testing, male sex (P = 0.021), history of Urology care (P = 0.001), and antibiotic treatment within 30 days prior to positive culture (P = 0.004) were identified as independent risk factors for CA ESBL E. coli UTI. Comorbidity scores were assigned to each patient according to pediatric comorbidity index (PCI); children with ESBL UTI were more likely to have higher morbidity risk than non-ESBL UTI chil-dren (P < 0.001). From the logistic model, the higher the morbidity scores, the more likely children will have CA ESBL UTI (P < 0.001).Discussion Identifying risk factors for ESBL-producing E. coli UTI in children is important because of limited thera-peutic options. This knowledge is essential for clin-ical decision making and to develop intervention strategies to reduce disease burden. Our study found that although females have an increased predispo-sition to UTIs, we observed that the male sex is an independent risk factor for ESBL E. coli UTI. This finding warrants further investigation to determine underlying cause. Because of the retrospective design of the study, collection of data from a single center, and differences in characteristics between patient populations, treatments, and prescribing patterns in the community, this study may not be generalizable.Conclusions Findings from our case-control study suggest that the male sex, history of Urology care, and previous antibiotic exposure are independent risk factors for CA ESBL-GNB UTI. Children with ESBL E. coli UTI are more likely to have longer admission duration and higher comorbidity index.