Frequency and clinical features of urinary tract infection in paediatric out-patients in Nigeria.

A survey of urinary tract infections (UTI) was conducted in a paediatric out-patient department in Northern Nigeria over six months. The most common presenting complaints of UTI were pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) and mild diarrhoea. The frequency of symptomatic UTI in out-patients was estimated at 0.4%. Asymptomatic UTI was common in children with nephrotic syndrome (16%) and severe malnutrition (23%). Abnormalities of the urinary tract were found on I.V.P. in four out of twelve boys and one out of nine girls with symptomatic infection. Micturating cystograms (MCUG) were of less value because even if severe ureteric reflux was found, long term follow-up was not practical. Follow-up could be maintained with greater success from local clinics.