RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine the nature of urinary tract infection (UTI), accompanying anomalies and antibiotic sensitivity in children in a tertiary care centre. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: King Fahd Hospital of the University-Al Khobar. SUBJECTS: Infants and children with proven urinary tract infection (UTI). Age up to 12 years seen between 1988-1993. Investigations included plain xrays, IVU, voiding cystourethrography and ultrasound examination of the abdome. RESULTS: 40% of subjects were referred cases and for the other 60% it was the first contact. 56% were infants below 2 years, males were predominant and proportion of older children diminished with age. Prominent associated anomalies were hypospadias in the male (6.14%), hydronephrosis, prune-belly syndrome, renal parenchymal and anorectal anomalies. Organisms predominantly grown on culture were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and enterococci. Ampicillin and cotrimoxazole were found to be least effective. CONCLUSIONS: Thereapeutic implications for the observations made are important to improve the outcome.