Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics and Related Factors of Urinary Tract Infection in Febrile Children

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common but often overlooked cause of fever in children. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of UTI and to identify related factors among children hospitalized for fever. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 961 febrile children. Clinical symptoms were recorded, and laboratory tests including blood analysis, urinalysis, urine culture, and urinary tract ultrasonography were performed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with UTI. Results: A total of 136 cases were diagnosed with UTI, accounting for 14.15%. The prevalence was significantly higher in children under 2 years of age, females, and those living in rural areas (p < 0.01). Most patients had lower urinary tract infections (68.4%). Urinary symptoms such as crying during urination, frequency, dysuria, and cloudy urine were associated with a higher prevalence of UTI. Laboratory findings including neutrophilia, anemia, CRP ≥ 40 mg/L, and positive pyuria were significantly associated with an increased risk of UTI. The most common causative pathogen was Escherichia coli (51.4%), followed by Enterococcus faecalis (36.8%). Multivariate analysis identified the following independent risk factors: age < 2 years, female sex, rural residence, external genital abnormalities, urinary tract abnormalities, and poor nutritional and hygienic conditions. Conclusion: UTI is a relatively common cause of fever in children. Early identification of risk factors plays an important role in guiding screening, diagnosis, and timely treatment, thereby helping to prevent complications and preserve urinary tract function in pediatric patients.