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Urinary tract infection - children - Management
How should I manage suspected urinary tract infection in an infant less than 3 months old?
- Urgently admit all infants less than 3 months of age if urinary tract infection is suspected.
- Urine testing is not necessary in primary care as this will not change management.
Basis for recommendation
This recommendation is based on National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines [National Collaborating Centre for Women's and Children's Health, 2007], which in turn are largely based on expert opinion on the balance of risks and benefits of invasive tests and treatments:
- Young infants with suspected urinary tract infection are at increased risk for severe illness.
- Therefore, admission is required to:
- Obtain a urine sample (which may require catheterization of the bladder or suprapubic aspiration of the bladder).
- Perform urgent urine microscopy.
- Treat with parenteral antibiotics, if these are indicated.
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