Early Antibiotic Treatment of Pediatric Urinary Tract Infections Lowers Risk for Renal Scars

Children given antibiotics within 3 days after symptom onset had fewer scars than those treated later.

Despite experimental evidence, debate continues about whether renal parenchymal scars in children with urinary tract infection (UTI) can be prevented by prompt antibiotic treatment. Researchers in the United Kingdom capitalized on changes in UTI treatment guidelines for general practitioners, which included urgent treatment with antibiotics. They compared the timing of antibiotic administration and the development of renal scars in 2262 children <8 years of age with first UTI before the change (1992–1995) and 1664 children with first UTI after the change (2004–2011).

The incidence of renal scars declined from the 1990s to the 2000s from 0.43% to 0.18% in girls and from 0.14% to 0.05% in boys. Patients during the 2000s were younger when they …

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

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Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Early Antibiotic Treatment of Pediatric Urinary Tract Infections Lowers Risk for Renal Scars

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Reviewing Author