[Urinary tract infections in infants, an insidious clinical picture].
Three boys aged 4, 5 and 7 weeks drank poorly, vomited and were lethargic. There were metabolic disorders attributable to a urinary tract infection. Ultrasonography revealed anatomical anomalies. After antibiotic treatment and, if necessary, surgical correction, the patients recovered. Follow-up was uncomplicated except persisting polyuria in one of the patients. A urinary tract infection in young children is difficult to recognise because of the aspecific presenting symptoms. It can cause a severe metabolic disturbance in which hyponatraemia and hyperkalaemia develop (pseudohypoaldosteronism), combined with metabolic acidosis and polyuria. A high alertness for urinary tract infections in young children with these aspecific symptoms is needed as well as metabolic and urologic evaluation.
van Wijk
J A
JA
Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit, afd. Kindergeneeskunde, Amsterdam.
van der Heijden
A J
AJ
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D000138:Acidosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004754:Enterobacter / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008297:Male; D011141:Polyuria / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D011546:Pseudohypoaldosteronism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
Urineweginfecties bij zuigelingen, een verraderlijk ziektebeeld.