The case against screening urinalyses for asymptomatic bacteriuria in children. Am J Dis Child 1992 Mar;146(3):343-6
Date
03/01/1992Pubmed ID
1543183DOI
10.1001/archpedi.1992.02160150083027Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0026684991 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 47 CitationsAbstract
Screening children for asymptomatic bacteriuria to prevent pyelonephritis and renal scarring is widely recommended, but its cost-effectiveness has not been established. We reviewed published studies to determine the costs and benefits of screening toilet-trained, asymptomatic children for bacteriuria. Given the sensitivity and specificity of current screening methods (approximately 80% each) and the prevalence of bacteriuria in asymptomatic children (approximately 1% in girls and 0.03% in boys), screening 100,000 children would result in 19,897 (20%) false-positive tests; initial screening and two urine cultures to confirm the diagnosis of asymptomatic bacteriuria would miss 28% of 515 children with true bacteriuria, and cost nearly $2.9 million. There is no evidence that detection and treatment of children with asymptomatic bacteriuria prevents subsequent pyelonephritis or renal scarring. Screening for bacteriuria in asymptomatic children is costly, fails to prevent pyelonephritis or renal scarring, and should be discontinued as a part of routine well-child care.
Author List
Kemper KJ, Avner EDAuthor
Ellis D. Avner MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
BacteriuriaChild
Female
Humans
Kidney Diseases
Male
Mass Screening
Predictive Value of Tests
Pyelonephritis
Sensitivity and Specificity
Urinalysis
