Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common bacterial infection in febrile newborns, particularly those born prematurely and with a low birth weight.
Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) predisposes to UTI and renal scarring. Half of neonates with UTI may have only low-grade fever or no fever. Jaundice in the absence of any other symptoms or signs may be the only clinical manifestation of UTI in neonates. The urinalysis may be negative in a significant number of neonates with UTI. Newborns with UTI have a high incidence of congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract anomalies, and hence should undergo renal imaging.
Written by:
Baracco R, Mattoo TK. Are you the author?
Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Wayne State University, 3901 Beaubien Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
Reference: Clin Perinatol. 2014 Sep;41(3):633-42.
doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2014.05.011
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25155732