Background: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) represents the return of urine from the bladder into the ureter and the renal canal system. Reflux can occur only on one or both kidneys. VUR most often occurs due to an incompetent ureterovesical junction, which consequently leads to hydronephrosis and dysfunction of the lower parts of the urinary system.
Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of urinary infection when diagnosing vesicouretheral reflux in children in the Tuzla Canton, in the five-year period from 01.01.2016 to 01.01.2021.
Methods: Through a retrospective study, we analyzed data from 256 children with vesiocouretheral reflux (VUR), examined in the Nephrology Outpatient Clinic, Clinic for Children's Diseases, University Clinical Center Tuzla, in the period from 01.01.2016 to 01.01.2021, from early neonatal to 15 years of age. The age and gender of children, the most common symptoms of urinary tract infections during the detection of VUR, and the degree of VUR were analyzed.
Results: From 256 children with VUR, 54% were male and 46% female. The highest prevalence of VUR was in the age group 0-2 years, and the lowest in the age of children > 15 years. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups of our respondents in relation to age groups, nor in relation to the gender of the children. Statistically significantly more children were without nonspecific symptoms and with asymptomatic bacteriuria in the group without UTI symptoms in children with VUR compared to the group with UTI symptoms in children with VUR. Pathological urine culture between the groups was without a statistically significant difference.
Conclusion: Although urinary tract infection in children is common, the possibility of permanent consequences should always be kept in mind if VUR is not diagnosed and treated in time.
Keywords: children; urinary tract infection; vesicouretheral reflux.
© 2023 Evlijana Zulic, Devleta Hadzic, Almira Cosickic, Nedima Atic, Amela Selimovic, Dzenana Ostrvica.