PREVALENCE OF URINARY TRACT INFECTION IN CHILDREN WITH NEPHROTIC SYNDROME

Introduction: Nephrotic syndrome is the most common chronic glomerular diseases in children. The most common infection in children with nephrotic syndrome is urinary tract infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of urinary tract infection in children with nephrotic syndrome and to prepare and submit an appropriate protocol regarding the necessity and method of UTI examination on these children. Materials and Methods: The population in this descriptive study included children aged six months to 14 years old with nephrotic syndrome referred to pediatric ward in Imam Ali (AS) Hospital in Zahedan in Iran during 2015. To collect and record the required data, a questionnaire was used that included questions about the past history, reason for referral, and medical tests of the patients. The collected data were entered into SPSS software. Results: The subjects were 124 children with nephrotic syndrome (71 males and 53 females) with a mean age of 6.21 3.1 years (at least 6 months and at most 14 years) were examined. Prevalence of infection in study samples was estimated 38% (n=47).  In 69.2% of the cases that kidney echo was high, the children had infection. The results of this study showed that the most common microorganisms involved in urinary tract infection were: Escherichia coli (13%), Klebsiella (13%), Enterococcus (6%), Proteus (4%) and other microorganisms (4%). Conclusion: When a child is diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, it is necessary to examine the disease so as to discover and prevent the risk of potential complications specifically urinary tract infection by initiating appropriate therapy.