• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2012

Purpose: Recently, many evidence-based guidelines for the management of urinary tract infection (UTI) have been developed because of the importance of proper management. However, there is a lack of data regarding how pediatricians manage UTIs in Korea. Therefore, we surveyed pediatricians to determine whether they manage UTIs in an appropriate manner. Methods: A postal questionnaire survey of 78 pediatricians practicing in Daegu city was performed. Subjects were asked about diagnosis, imaging studies, treatment, and prevention of UTIs. Results: Most of the respondents (94.8%) performed urinalysis to diagnose UTI in febrile children with an unknown fever focus. However, many preferred inaccurate collection methods, such as bagged urine collection, and did not obtain urine cultures. The most frequently performed imaging modality was renal-bladder ultrasonogram. Orally administered antibiotics were preferred unless admission was needed. After diagnosis of UTI, the pediatricians usually provided information to caregivers about the disease itself and supplementary treatment. Of the respondents, only 28.6% had their own guidelines for management of vesicoureteral reflux. Conclusion: Most pediatricians suspected UTI in febrile children with an unknown focus appropriately. Nevertheless, the fact that many pediatricians preferred inaccurate urine collection methods and did not perform sufficient imaging studies to detect associated abnormalities likely resulted in overtreatment due to false-positive diagnosis of UTI and a low probability of ruling out genitourinary anatomical problems. To improve the quality of management of UTI, pediatricians should follow scientific and evidence-based guidelines.