Nephroprevention in children by urinary dipstick screening

Abstract

Introduction: Renal disease and some systemic illnesses can present with varied urinary abnormalities. Early detection of these abnormal urinary findings by urinary dipstick screening can help in forestalling the progression of the underlying illnesses.

Objectives: To determine urinary abnormalities in children using urinary dipstick.

Patients and Methods: It was a cross sectional descriptive study in which all children 2 months-16 years, attending the children outpatient clinic of Federal Medical Center, Asaba, were screened with urinary dipstick (Multistix; urinalysis reagent strip, Mission® Expert ACON Laboratories, Inc San Diego, USA, batch number 1150537502).  

Results: A total of 543 children: 290 (53.4%) males and 253 (46.6%) females were screened. There were 104 (19.2%) infants, children 1-9 years were 360 (66.3%) while adolescents were 79 (14.5%). Urinary abnormalities were detected in 58 (10.7%) children. Forty-six females and twelve males had urinary  abnormalities, p=<0.0001 (male: female ratio 1:3.8). Abnormal urine findings identified were leucocyturia in 46 (8.5%) subjects, proteinuria in 14( 2.6%) subjects, nitrituria in 3 (0.6%) subjects and isolated haematuria in  2 (0.4%) 2 subjects. Leucocyturia was commoner in females (p<0.0001) and those with haematuria were older (p=0.005).

Conclusion: Isolated leucocyturia was the most prevalent urinary abnormality.

Keywords: Leucocyturia, Proteinuria, Nitrituria, Haematuria, Children, Nigeria