[Preventive treatment of urinary tract infections in the child].

Most of childhood urinary tract infections come through ascending way. Fecal microflora is the usual source of the bacterial strains. Infection facilitating factors are bacterial virulence which increase bacterial attachment to the urinary tract, adhesins and toxins, mostly studied in Escherichia coli, and host factors (receptors availability, acquired or congenital urinary tract abnormalities). Prophylactic treatment in childhood urinary tract infection is indicated in case of obstructed uropathy before surgery, vesico-ureteral reflux without surgical management, recurrent cystitis. It includes hygiene, treatment of a possible uninhibited bladder, and antimicrobial prophylaxy. Few antimicrobial agents have been studied for efficiency and long term tolerance in children. Nitrofurantoin and cotrimoxazole are the most currently used. Subinhibitory concentrations, about 20% of the curative treatment dosage of lower urinary tract infection are effective on bacterial attachment and lessen the frequency of infections. They can be given once a day in the evening.