Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common disease affecting especially infants and young children. The clinical presentations are diverse, from an unaffected infant with asymptomatic bacteriuria to a severely septic child. Accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment is important for the prevention of long-term morbidity and sequelae (. hypertension, proteinuria, and chronic kidney disease). The purpose of the present study was to determine the validity of rapidly diagnostic tests for the early detection of UTIs in paediatric patients. Total 247 midstream urine specimens were processed. On one part of sample semiquantitative culture was done and on another part various screening test (wet mount, Gram’s stain, catalase test, triphenyl tetrazolium chloride test and modified Griess nitrate test) were performed and compared with culture. Out of 247 urine samples, 58() samples were culture positive. E. coli was most common bacteria pathogen isolated. Among screening tests, modified Griess nitrate test and TTC test were more specific. While catalase test and Gram stain were both sensitive and specific. Wet mount examination found to be the least useful test. Combination of screening test can be helpful especially in setup where laboratory facility for culture is not available for diagnosis of urinary tract infection. | Utility of screening test in early diagnosis of urinary tract infection in children
