Dipstick urine analysis for detection of renal abnormalities among school children

ABSTRACT

Background: Urine analysis by dipstick is a useful tool to identify children with asymptomatic renal diseases.  Dipstick urinalysis screening was conducted in asymptomatic school children to detect prevalence of renal disease.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in 862 children of age 6 to 15 years studying in different schools of Birgunj, Nepal between January 2019 to June 2019. First morning mid-stream urine samples were obtained from students and tested by dipstick method. Children with abnormal findings were re-tested after fifteen days.Results: Ninety-six (11.13%) children had urinary abnormalities at the first screening; 8 children had specific urinary abnormalities after second screening. 4 children had urinary tract infection, followed by glomerulonephritis, type 1 diabetes, hydronephrosis and nephrotic syndrome. Urinary abnormalities were more common in females than in males.Conclusions: Asymptomatic urinary abnormalities are detected by urine screening program at school age. Further work-up reveals the specific diagnosis and effective interventions help reduce the renal disease in future.