Screening of renal and urinary tract problems in pre-school children and their relationship with parasitic infection

ABSTRACT

This cross sectional study was done for pre-school children households of an Egyptian village with evaluation of possible relationship between urinary tract problems detected and parasitic agents especially those causing diarrhea. A systematic random sample of houses was selected. Urine was examined using microscopic examination and dipstick techniques Stool was examined by direct smear and standard Kato-Katz techniques. The history taking included family history of congenital anomalies and relative parents; clinical and ultrasonographic examinations were performed in presence of mothers. Results showed that, a high percentage of children had positive urinary findings [pyuria and haematuria were found in 40% of children while 80% had crystaluria]; females had more problems than males. Microscopic examination was more superior to dipstick testing in detecting urinary problems except protein in urine. Pin worm infection showed positive relationship with urinary findings especially with males [O.R. 1.7 for pynria and 2.1 for haematuria]. Children having parasites causing diarrhea had higher percentage of pyuria than free children. Ultrasonographic examination showed four positive cases including congenital anomalies. Screening programs for preschool children should be adopted for early detection of urinary tract problems as urinary tract infection [UTI] and congenital anomalies especially in villages. Microscopic examination is the technique of choice for screening programs. Selected dipstick testing for proteinuria could be used. Screening for UTI in diarrheic children and those having pin worms or other parasites should be considered by health care personnel