Differentiation of upper and lower urinary tract infections: how and when?

The principal purpose of differentiating upper and lower urinary tract infections is to prevent renal damage by determining which patients require long-term antibiotic treatment and follow-up. This article takes a critical look at the method now in use for differentiation of these infections. Special attention is given to the problems of locating a urinary tract infection in a child, both because this is exceptionally difficult in this population and because kidney infections in children carry a high risk of permanent damage including renal failure and hypertension.