Factors Contributing to the Recurrence of Urinary Tract Infections and Revisit amongst Children in the Emergency Department: A Single-Centre Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are prevalent amongst paediatric patients, and they can lead to emergency department (ED) visits. A subset of patients requires a second ED visit, creating a burden on healthcare resources. This study aimed to shed light on the clinical, laboratory, treatment-related and environmental determinants associated with the recurrence of ED visits in this specific paediatric population.

METHODS

This single-centre retrospective study involved paediatric patients diagnosed with UTIs and admitted to the paediatric ED of our hospital from September 2021, to August 2023. In accordance with whether a second visit was required, the ED patients were grouped into non-second-visit group or second-visit group. The demographic, clinical, laboratory, diagnostic, and environmental factors were analysed in detail. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, -tests and correlation analyses, were employed to assess the associations between various factors and subsequent ED visits.

RESULTS

A total of 357 patients, including 324 patients without a second visit and 33 patients with a second visit, were included in this study. Factors significantly associated with second ED visits included fever (≥38.5 C) at initial presentation ( = 0.034), longer symptom duration ( = 0.022), increased C-reactive protein (CRP) levels ( = 0.018), hydronephrosis ( = 0.033) and lack of oral antibiotic use before the first visit (45.45% vs. 67.9%, = 0.017). More bubble bath exposure ( = 0.037) and lower consultation rates with paediatric urology services ( = 0.020) were associated with repeated visits. Multifactor logistic regression analysis showed that the factors significantly associated with second ED visits were longer symptoms duration, fever (≥38.5 C) at initial presentation, presence of flank pain, increased CRP levels, hydronephrosis, renal stones, vesicoureteral reflux, underlying anatomical abnormalities, lack of oral antibiotic use before the first visit, bubble bath exposure and lower consultation rates with paediatric urology services.

CONCLUSIONS

A series of clinical indicators, laboratory findings, diagnostic measures and environmental factors may be associated with the need for a second ED visit amongst paediatric patients with UTI. Early antibiotic intervention, identification of underlying anatomical anomalies and management of environmental exposures may mitigate recurrent ED visits.