Abid, a 3 months old boy came with fever, vomiting, irritability, inappropriate weight gain, foul smelling urine, decrease appetite for 15 days. Usual treatment did not improve the situation. After proper urine routine examination, culture sensitivity proved that Abid had been suffering from UTI .

Rokeya, a 5 years old girl came with high fever with chill and rigor, vomiting, flank pain and passage of red color urine. After proper investigation she was diagnosed as a case of acute pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidney and the pelvis of the kidney).

Reshma, a 2 years old girl had repeated attacks of UTI. As per culture and sensitivity of urine, she was given proper antibiotic in a proper dose and duration. Though she developed UTI again 2 weeks later. After taking history properly, it was reveled that she had been suffering from thread worm infestation also. Finally, along with antibiotic, she was given antihelminth and it did not recur.

Salma, a 8 years old girl came with lower abdominal pain, increased frequency of urination, painful urination and history of constipation. After proper investigation, she was diagnosed as a case of cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder, which makes a patient pass water often and giving a burning sensation).

Prevalence of UTI among girls and boys is 3-5 percent and 1 percent respectively. Infection spreads mostly by ascending route and some times through blood.

Factors predisposing to UTI are obstruction to outflow of urine, infrequent and incomplete voiding, inadequate fluid intake, constipation, thread worm infestation, stone, indwelling catheter, local trauma, sexual abuse and impaired immunity.

To make a proper diagnosis, history, physical examination and laboratory examination are mandatory.

Proper antibiotic treatment for a duration of 7-10 days usually cures the condition. To prevent UTI , encourage your children taking plenty of oral fluid, regular bladder emptying, avoid constipation, perianal hygiene maintenance are very important.

Follow up is mandatory in UTI management. Please, do not neglect UTI, as scarring in renal tissue may occur within three days of infection which may ultimately lead to renal failure.

The writer is an Associate Professor of Department of Pediatrics of Community Based Medical College, Mymensingh. [E mail: mkarim_khan@yahoo.com]