Abstract 1408

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the frequency and prevention of recurrent UTI in infants requiring prolonged hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: A retrospective review of all male infants admitted to the NICU from June 1996 - September 1998 revealed 31/595 with UTI. Infants were divided into 3 Groups: A1<37 weeks with one UTI, A2<37 weeks with >1 UTI, and B≥37 weeks with any UTI. Gestational age, birth weight, age at diagnosis of UTI, micro-organisms, follow-up care (including imaging studies) and recurrence rates prior to discharge were determined. The effect of circumcision on recurrence of UTI was also investigated. RESULTS: Thirty-one infants had 44 UTIs during the study period (5.2%). In Groups A1 and A2, 50% of the first UTI were due to Candida (11/28) or E. coli (4/28), the remaining 50% were due to other Gram negatives and Staph. species. Mean gestational age (GA) in Groups A1 and A2 were similar (29±2 and 29±4 weeks); however, mean GA of infants with Candida UTI was 27±2 weeks, and for bacterial UTI 30±3 weeks (p<.01). Gestational age was 39 weeks for all 3 infants in Group B. (Table) CONCLUSIONS: Premature uncircumcised males have an increased risk for UTI (Odds Ratio=8.2, 95% CI, 2.3-22.9, p<.001). Circumcision appears beneficial in reducing the risk for recurrent UTI in these same infants.

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