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Prophylaxis Options in Children With a History of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections: A Systematic Review

N. Gkiourtzis, Anastasia Stoimeni, Agni Glava, Sofia Chantavaridou, Panagiota Michou, Konstantinos Cheirakis, A. Lalayiannis, S. Hulton et al.

Pediatrics, 2024

3,335 participants · 12 citations

Abstract

CONTEXT

The prevention of urinary tract infection recurrence (UTI) in children has been a challenge yet to be solved. Current practice in children with recurrent UTI (RUTI) suggests that antibiotic prophylaxis may prevent further episodes of UTI and future complications.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing prophylaxis options for the prevention of UTI and kidney scarring in children with a history of RUTI.

DATA SOURCES

We conducted a systematic literature search through major electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, Scopus and Cochrane Library) up to November 26th, 2023. Mean difference and SD were used for continuous outcomes and odds ratio for dichotomous outcomes.

STUDY SELECTION

Our meta-analysis included 3335 participants from 23 studies.

DATA EXTRACTION

The primary outcome was the effect of the different prophylaxis options on the incidence of symptomatic UTI in children with RUTI during prophylactic treatment.

RESULTS

Cranberry products and nitrofurantoin lead to lower odds of symptomatic UTI episodes during prophylaxis compared with the control group and control, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or trimethoprim groups accordingly. Nitrofurantoin may be the best option for UTI incidence reduction compared with all available documented interventions.

LIMITATIONS

No prophylaxis option has been shown to reduce kidney scarring.

CONCLUSIONS

Nitrofurantoin and cranberry products may decrease the incidence of…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 3,335 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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