Diagnostic tests of microscopic and urine dipstick examination in children with urinary tract infection

Nurul Hidayah; Pungky Ardani Kusum; Noormanto Noormanto

doi:10.14238/pi51.5.2011.252-5

Nurul Hidayah Department of Child Health, Gadjah Mada University Medical School, Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Central Java
Pungky Ardani Kusum Department of Child Health, Gadjah Mada University Medical School, Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Central Java
Noormanto Noormanto Department of Child Health, Gadjah Mada University Medical School, Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Central Java

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14238/pi51.5.2011.252-5

Keywords: urinary tract infection, urine dipstick, urine microscopic, urine culture

Abstract

BackgroundÂ Urinary tract infection (UTI) is common inÂ children
and, if incorrectly handled, may cause long-term complications,
suchÂ as renal failure. The best test to diagnose UTIs is urine
culture. However, urine culture is time-consuming, taking 3 - 5
days.Â Therefore, there is a need for faster, alternative methods.
Urinalysis is a common diagnostic test toÂ establishÂ the diagnosis
of UTI.
ObjectiveÂ To determine the sensitivity and
specificity of urine leukocytes, nitrite and leukocyteÂ esterase for
UTIs diagnosis.
Methods We performed diagnostic tests at Dr. Sardjito Hospital,
Yogyakarta. We examined the presence of leukocytes in urine by microscopy,urinary nitrite and leukocyte esterase by dipstick test, while comparing to urine culture as the gold standard.
ResultsÂ Two hundred childrenÂ were included in our study. By
parallel test analysis, we found the sensitivity, specificity, positive
predictive value and negative predictive value of using all 3 tests
in combination were 95%, 59%, 74% and 89%, respectively
Conclusion Test for urine leukocytes,Â nitrite and leukocyte
esterase have high sensitivity but low specificity for diagnosing
UTIs. Therefore, negative results in these 3 tests do not rule
out the possibility of UTI in children. [Paediatr Indones.
2011 ;51;252-5].

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