The Role of Vitamins in Pediatric Urinary Tract Infection: Mechanisms and Integrative Strategies
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most frequent bacterial infections in children, representing a significant cause of morbidity with potential long-term complications, including renal scarring and chronic kidney disease. This review explores the multifaceted roles of vitamins A, D, E, and C in the prevention and management of pediatric UTI. Vitamin A supports mucosal barrier integrity and immune modulation, reducing pathogen adhesion and colonization. Vitamin C exhibits antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, acidifying urine to inhibit bacterial growth and enhancing the efficacy of antibiotics. Vitamin D strengthens innate immunity by promoting antimicrobial peptide production, such as cathelicidins, and improves epithelial barrier function, while vitamin E mitigates oxidative stress, reducing renal inflammation and tissue damage. The interplay between oxidative stress, immune response, and nutritional factors is emphasized, highlighting the potential of these vitamins to restore antioxidant balance and prevent renal injury. Complementary strategies, including probiotics and phytotherapeutic agents, further enhance therapeutic outcomes by addressing microbiome diversity and providing additional antimicrobial effects. While these approaches show promise in mitigating UTI recurrence and reducing dependence on antibiotics, evidence gaps remain regarding optimal dosing, long-term outcomes, and their integration into pediatric care. By adopting a holistic approach…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Association of lower urinary tract symptoms and OAB severity with quality of life and mental health in China, Taiwan and South Korea: results from a cross-sectional, population-based study
- Ten-Day Quadruple Therapy Comprising Low-Dose Rabeprazole, Bismuth, Amoxicillin, and Tetracycline Is an Effective and Safe First-Line Treatment for Helicobacter pylori Infection in a Population with High Antibiotic Resistance: a Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel-Controlled Clinical Trial in China
- The Role of the NLR and PLR in Urinary Tract Infection
- Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance among Pilgrims with Infectious Diseases during Hajj: Lessons Learnt from COVID-19 Pandemic
- Leclercia adecarboxylata urinary tract infection in a patient with bladder cancer and recurrent hematuria
- A Case Series of Staphylococcus lugdunensis Infection in Cancer Patients at an Academic Cancer Institute in the United States
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.