title: Steroid instillation for idiopathic urethritis in children: an 8-year experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Idiopathic urethritis (IU) in children is of unknown etiology and treatment options are limited. We aim to report our experience with steroid instillation in IU in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective data collection of all male children diagnosed with IU over a period of 8 years. Patients with balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) and positive urine culture at presentation were excluded from the study. Data were collected on patient demographics, laboratory and radiological investigations, cystoscopy findings, management, and outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 16 male children were diagnosed with IU. The mean age was 11.6 (7-16) years. Presenting symptoms included dysuria in 10; frank hematuria in 7; loin pain in 5; and scrotal pain in 2 patients. Serum C-reactive protein and full blood count was tested in 13 patients and was within normal limits in all of them. Endoscopy findings included posterior urethritis in 12, anterior urethritis in 2, and urethral stricture with inflammation in 2 patients. Ten patients required more than one episode of steroid instillation. Mean follow-up was 19.4 (1-74) months. Complete resolution of symptoms and signs occurred in 15 (93.6%) patients and improvement of symptoms and signs noted with ongoing treatment in 1 (6.4%) patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IU in children can be successfully managed with steroid instillation. In our series, 93.6% of children had complete resolution of symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Urology, University Hospitals Leicester, Leicester, East Midlands, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sivasankar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jayakumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Urology, University Hospitals Leicester, Leicester, East Midlands, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: George Kaithayil
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Ninan
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Urology, University Hospitals Leicester, Leicester, East Midlands, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kirsty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pringle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003558:Cystoscopy; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004724:Endoscopy; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014221:Triamcinolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014526:Urethritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D014221:Triamcinolone; D008775:Methylprednisolone