Clinical Presentation and Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern of Urinary Tract Infection in Children Aged 2 Months to 5 Years

Author(s): Dr. Farhana Rahman, Dr. Fauzia Nahid, Dr. Mahmuda Begum

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become an escalating global challenge, with increasing resistance to commonly used antibiotics complicating the management of pediatric UTI. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical presentation and antimicrobial resistance patterns of urinary tract infections in children aged 2 months to 5 years.

Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to assess the clinical presentation and antimicrobial resistance patterns of urinary tract infections in children aged 2 months to 5 years.

Methods: This cross-sectional study at the Department of Paediatrics, Ad-din Momin Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka (May 2024–April 2025), included 200 children (2 months–5 years) with culture-confirmed UTI. After consent, clinical data and urine samples were collected and processed using standard microbiological methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing followed CLSI guidelines. Data were analyzed descriptively with SPSS 25.0.

Results: Among 200 children with UTI, most were aged 2–5 years (42.0%), and 52.5% were female. Fever was the most common symptom (60.0%). E. coli (40.6%) and Klebsiella spp. (37.4%) were the predominant pathogens. E. coli showed high resistance to nitrofurantoin (92.1%), while Proteus spp. showed notable resistance to multiple agents. Gram-positive isolates exhibited high resistance to norfloxacin and erythromycin.

Conclusion: Urinary tract infections in children aged 2 months to 5 years are more common in females, frequently present with fever and abdominal pain, and show high resistance to commonly used antibiotics, highlighting the need for targeted therapy and continuous antimicrobial resistance surveillance.