ABSTRACT

Background: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in cerebral palsy is a common clinical condition. Children with cerebral palsy have the increased probability of getting UTI. They have incomplete blander emptying and urinary retention due to abnormal neuromotor control of bladder.

Aim: To determine the prevalence of UTI in children with cerebral palsy.

Method: It was a Cross Sectional Study conducted in the department of Pediatrics Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore from 21^st May 2019 till November 2019. A total of 100 cases fulfilling the inclusion/ exclusion criteria were enrolled from the outpatient and inpatient department of pediatrics, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore. Informed consent was obtained to include their data in the study. Demographic Profile was also taken. Urine samples were taken and sent to the hospital laboratory for diagnosis of urinary tract infection. UTI was recorded.

Results: Mean age of children was 7.683.09 years. Gender distribution of patients showed that there were 61(61%) male and 39(39%) female children. There were 33(33%) children who were malnourished. There were 34(34%) children who suffered from urinary tract infection. No statistically significant association was seen between urinary tract infection with age, gender & socioeconomic status however it was significantly associated with nutritional status of the children.

Conclusion: As per findings of this study children with cerebral palsy has occurrence of urinary tract infection as high as 34%. So it is important to also screen these children for urine examination as a baseline investigation in all the cerebral palsy patients presenting to hospital (both indoor and outdoor departments) and also regular follow up after every 6 months to minimize the complications faced by these children other than cerebral palsy.