Bacteriological Profile and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Pediatric Urinary Tract Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study at Dhaka Shishu Hospital

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a prevalent concern in pediatric healthcare, causing distress to children, raising parental concerns, and potentially leading to lasting kidney damage. The highest incidence of first-time symptomatic UTIs occurs in infants during the first year of life, with a subsequent marked decrease. Febrile infants under 2 months, presenting with unexplained fever, constitute a critical subset requiring particular attention. Knowledge of the bacteriological profile and antimicrobial resistance patterns in specific regions is crucial for guiding effective treatment strategies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at 250 Bedded General Hospital, Jamalpur, Bangladesh from Feb 2016 to Aug 2016 to assess the bacteriological profile and antibiotic resistance patterns in pediatric UTIs. A total of 147 culture-positive UTI patients were included. Bacterial isolates were identified, and colony counts for samples with ≥105 CFU/mL bacteria were considered positive. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using twelve agents, and resistance patterns were analyzed. Results: Among the 147 culture-positive UTI patients, Escherichia coli (E-coli) was the predominant isolate (70%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (13.6%), Pseudomonas (5.44%), Enterobacter spp (3.40%), Staphylococcus Aureus (3.40%), Proteus (2.72%), and Enterococcus (1.36%). Antimicrobial resistance analysis revealed varying patterns, with Cefradine (79.59%), Co-trimoxazole (SXT) (69.39%), Nalidixic acid (NA) (66.67%), and Ceftazidime (CTM) (48.98%) showing higher resistance rates. No drug exhibited 100% resistance against urinary pathogens, indicating a dynamic resistance landscape. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of understanding local prevalence and resistance patterns in guiding empirical antibiotic selection for pediatric UTIs. The observed decrease in antimicrobial resistance underscores the need for continuous surveillance and tailored antibiotic strategies. Clinicians should base their treatment decisions on the specific epidemiological context rather than relying solely on universal or national guidelines.