Urinary tract infections in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and to determine whether there was a correlation between UTIs and the timing and type of genital surgery in girls.

STUDY DESIGN

Medical records of patients with CAH < or = 15 years were reviewed. A parent questionnaire regarding history of UTIs was completed.

RESULTS

Seventy-one patients with classic CAH (41 girls, 30 boys) aged 8.3 +/- 4.2 years were identified. Thirty-five (85%) girls had undergone feminizing genitoplasty at 1.1 +/- 0.8 years, while six (15%) had not. History of UTI was reported in nine (12.6%) patients (one boy, eight girls). In seven of the eight girls, genital surgery had been performed and all UTIs occurred after surgery. One UTI was reported in a girl who had not undergone surgery. No correlation was found between UTIs and the type of genital surgery.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of UTIs in children with CAH is similar to that in the general population. Although preliminary, our results do not suggest an increased risk of UTIs if surgery is delayed.