Objective: To determine validity of pyuria in detecting urinary tract infection (UTI) as a quick reliable, first hand diagnostic tool in our population, where cost effectiveness is involved and facilities of culture are not available.
Methodology: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in KRL hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan over a period of 2 years. Urine samples of all the febrile children with suspected UTI were collected via midstream clean catch technique (in children >3 years) or suprapubic aspiration (in ≤3 years). They were examined microscopically after centrifugation for pus cells. Simultaneously cultures were performed. Specificity, sensitivity, negative and positive predictive values were calculated.
Results: Total number of patients was 226. 45.58% were male and 54.42% were females. Mean age was 5.019±3.274 years. Mean weight was 19.575±8.339kg. Pyuria had sensitivity of 68.69%, specificity of 74.80%, PPV of 68% and NPV of 75.40% in detecting UTI.
Conclusion: Pyuria can be used as a quick predictor of diagnosing UTI, specially where facilities of culture are not available with acceptable sensitivity and specificity.
Key words: UTI, urine routine examination, urine culture sensitivity, pediatrics.
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