Urinary tract infections associated with otitis media in infants and children.

One hundred six infants and children with otitis media were screened for the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTI) by urine culture. Seventeen patients (16%) who had UTI were compared with the 80 patients with sterile urine for differences in host factors and laboratory features. The mean age, WBC counts, and ESR values were similar. Patients with UTI-associated otitis media had a higher incidence of hematuria. Prevalence of high (greater than or equal to 103 degrees F) fever was higher among the boys with UTI. However, because of the lack of definite clinical and laboratory clues to determine the presence or absence of UTI, urine culture is the only test to uncover otitis media patients with concomitant UTI.