Evaluation of a service development to increase detection of urinary tract infections in children

Rationale, aims and objectives It is suspected that childhood urinary tract infection (UTI) remains under-diagnosed in primary care, and is consequently the cause of subsequent morbidity from renal scarring, hypertension and eventual renal failure. Practice-based education and service developments were undertaken to try to improve the detection of childhood UTI. Methods A controlled before-and-after intervention study was conducted. The educational and service developments promoted awareness of and greater testing for UTI among children less than two years of age presenting with febrile illness or other potentially relevant symptoms or signs. Appropriate diagnostic equipment was provided. Results and conclusions More urine samples were sent by the intervention practices but without a concomitant increase in detection of UTIs. This may indicate that current practice is approaching near maximal detection of UTI in young children.