ABSTRACT
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is common in infants and children. Infection in the presence of vesicoureteric reflux of urine is associated with renal cortical scarring (reflux nephropathy), particularly in the first year of life. This can have significant long-term implications, underlying up to 20% of cases of chronic renal failure in children and being a significant cause of end-stage renal failure in young adults. It is important that a UTI is proven on urine culture and not just treated on the basis of symptoms, as the diagnosis should initiate thorough radiological investigation of the renal tract.
