Chronic constipation as a risk factor of urinary tract infection in children

Abstract

The prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in children is still quite high. In Dr. Sardjito
General Hospital, Yogyakarta the incidence of UTI is reported about 3.5%. One of the risk
factors of the incidence of UTI is chronic constipation. However, it is often not a concern in the
management of UTI pediatric patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of
chronic constipation in increasing the risk of UTI in children. This was an observational study
with case-control design. Children with symptoms of UTI who visited at the Installation of Child
Health, Dr. Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta underwent dipstick urinalysis test and urine
culture examination. Patients who showed positive urine culture was included in the case group,
meanwhile patients who showed negative urine culture was included in the control group. All
patients were then asked the history of the chronic constipation. The association between the
constipation and the incident of UTI was evaluated using bivariate analysis continued by
multivariate analysis. One hundred and twenty eight eligible subjects consisting 64 subjects in
each group were involved in this study. Statistical analysis showed that children with chronic
constipation have a 3.77 times higher risk of UTI (OR=3.77; 95%CI=3.21-4.32) compare to
those without constipation. Furthermore, the chronic constipation remained to be independent
risk factor of UTI. The incidence of UTI increased 3.99 times higher in children with constipation
compare to those without constipation (aOR=3.99; 95% CI=1.028-15.48). In conclusion, chronic
constipation has been proven to be a risk factor of UTI in children