Recurrent urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux in children with functional lower urinary tract dysfunction: Single centre experience

Purpose Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) is often associated with urinary tract infections (UTI) and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Recurrent UTI (RUTI) may lead to loss of renal function in children with LUTD. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the frequency RUTI, VUR and renal scar in children with functional LUTD. Materials and methods The data of children older than five-years-old with urgency, daytime incontinence between September, 2015 and August, 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The children with neurological problems, congenital anomalies kidney and urinary tract except VUR were excluded. Information on episodes of UTI, VUR and renal scar, radiological findings were obtained by medical records. Results The 130 patients (86 girls, 44 boys) was included in this study. The frequencies of increased post voiding residue (PVR), trabeculated bladder and reduced bladder capacity were significantly higher in RUTI than patients without RUTI (p=0.005, p=0.001, p=0.023, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed significant relationships between RUTI and increased PVR or reduced bladder capacity [OR=0.995, p=0.007; OR=0.818, p=0.024; respectively]. The 22 patients had VUR. There was positive association between VUR and increased bladder wall thickness (OR=2.996, p=0.000). Renal scar was shown in 20 patients. The presence of scar was higher in RUTI (p=0.029). There was no significant difference between the patients with and without VUR with respect to renal scar. Conclusion RUTI seems to play an important role in the development of renal scar in children with functional LUTD. The increased BWT may be a predictor of the presence of VUR