PURPOSE: We studied the urodynamic pattern in infants with urinary tract infection and evaluated the influence of the infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cystometry was combined with voiding cystourethrography (video cystometry) in 90 male and 68 female infants admitted to the hospital with first time urinary tract infection. Evaluation was performed 1 to 30 days (mean 11) and 32 to 78 days (mean 46) after diagnosis in 93 and 65 infants, respectively. RESULTS: Bladder instability was found in two-thirds of male and female infants. Compared to older children male infants had high voiding detrusor pressure and low bladder capacity (hypercontractility). Female infants also had increased voiding pressure levels but they were significantly lower than those in male infants. The voiding detrusor pressure was even higher in both sexes when evaluation was delayed after the infection. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with urinary tract infection have bladder instability and hypercontractility compared to older children. Bladder hypercontractility was less pronounced early after infection, suggesting that the infectious agents inhibit detrusor muscle contractility. Whether hypercontractility is a normal urodynamic pattern in infancy or represents bladder dysfunction can only be addressed by urodynamic studies of healthy infants.
PURPOSE: We studied the urodynamic pattern in infants with urinary tract infection and evaluated the influence of the infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cystometry was combined with voiding cystourethrography (video cystometry) in 90 male and 68 female infants admitted to the hospital with first time urinary tract infection. Evaluation was performed 1 to 30 days (mean 11) and 32 to 78 days (mean 46) after diagnosis in 93 and 65 infants, respectively. RESULTS: Bladder instability was found in two-thirds of male and female infants. Compared to older children male infants had high voiding detrusor pressure and low bladder capacity (hypercontractility). Female infants also had increased voiding pressure levels but they were significantly lower than those in male infants. The voiding detrusor pressure was even higher in both sexes when evaluation was delayed after the infection. CONCLUSIONS:Infants with urinary tract infection have bladder instability and hypercontractility compared to older children. Bladder hypercontractility was less pronounced early after infection, suggesting that the infectious agents inhibit detrusor muscle contractility. Whether hypercontractility is a normal urodynamic pattern in infancy or represents bladder dysfunction can only be addressed by urodynamic studies of healthy infants.