Research

Urinary Tract Infection NIH Observational Study

Purpose

The purpose of the Careful Urinary Tract Infection Evaluation (UTI) study is to help doctors identify children with urinary tract infections (UTIs) who might be more likely to get kidney scars. This could help children with UTIs stay healthy.

Study Description

UTIs are the most common serious bacterial infections in young children. In children younger than 6 years of age, 70,000 to 180,000 will have a UTI each year. Approximately two-thirds of young children with febrile UTIs will have an infection involving the kidneys and ureters; between 15% and 52% of these children will develop subsequent kidney scarring.

The UTI study is an observational study developed to understand why some children develop kidney scars after UTIs. In recent years, our understanding of the relationship of UTI and renal scarring, and current strategies for managing children with UTI have been challenged. Understanding which children are at the greatest risk of renal scarring after a UTI may allow us to provide more targeted therapies and interventions. Furthermore, by saving urine and blood in an NIH repository, we will create future opportunities to examine the genetic determinants of renal scarring in all children with UTI.