recommended imaging schedule for infants younger than 6 months

Last reviewed 01/2018

TestResponds well to treatment within 48 hoursAtypical UTI*Recurrent UTI*
Ultrasound during the acute infectionNoYes***Yes
Ultrasound within 6 weeksYes**NoNo
DMSA 4-6 months following the acute infectionNoYesYes
MCUGNoYesYes
  • *
    • atypical UTI includes:
      • seriously ill
      • poor urine flow
      • abdominal or bladder mass
      • raised creatinine
      • septicaemia
      • failure to respond to treatment with suitable antibiotics within 48 hours
      • infection with non-E. coli organisms

    • recurrent UTI:
      • two or more episodes of UTI with acute pyelonephritis/upper urinary tract infection, or
      • one episode of UTI with acute pyelonephritis/upper urinary tract infection plus one or more episode of UTI with cystitis/lower urinary tract infection, or
      • three or more episodes of UTI with cystitis/lower urinary tract infection
  • **
    • if abnormal consider MCUG
  • ***
    • in an infant or child with a non-E. coli-UTI, responding well to antibiotics and with no other features of atypical infection, the ultrasound can be requested on a non-urgent basis to take place within 6 weeks

Reference:

  1. NICE (September 2017).Urinary tract infection in children: diagnosis, treatment and long-term management