PREVALENCE OF MULTIDRUG RESISTANT PATHOGENS IN CHILDREN WITH URINARY TRACT INFECTION: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the commonest medical problems in children. It can distress the child and may cause kidney damage. Prompt diagnosis and effective treatment can prevent complications in the child. But treatment of UTI in children has now become a challenge due to the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria. Aims & Objectives: To know the bacteriological profile and susceptibility pattern of urinary tract infections in children and to know the prevalence of multidrug resistant uropathogens. Materials & Methods: A retrospective analysis was done on all paediatric urine samples for a period of one year. A total of 1581 samples were included in the study. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done on samples showing significant growth by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Statistical analysis: Prevalence and pattern were analyzed using proportions and percentages. Results: E. coli was the most predominant organism (56%) causing UTI in children followed by Klebsiella sp (17%). Fifty three percent of gram negative organisms isolated from children were found to be multidrug resistant. Majority of E. coli isolates were found to be highly resistant to Ampicillin (91%) and Cotrimoxazole (82%) and highly sensitive to Imipenem (99%) and Amikacin (93%). Conclusion: Paediatric UTI was common in children less than 5 years of age. Gram negative bacteria (E. coli and Klebsiella sp) were more common than gram positive bacteria. Our study revealed that multidrug resistance was higher in E. coli.