Reliability of Urine Dipstick Analysis and Microscopy as a Predictor of Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infection is one of the most commonly encountered genitourinary disease in pediatric practice. Diagnosis and management of urinary tract infection is a matter of concern in hospital settings and at community level. This study tries to establish the relevance of urine dipstick analysis and microscopy in detecting UTI. In this study a control group and a study group of equal number with similar complaints were taken and urine dipstick analysis studying 3 parameters i. e. leukocyte esterase, nitrite and albumin. Microscopy was done to check for bacteriuria, hematuria and pyuria. In predicting urinary tract infection, Nitrites and bacteriuria has a positive predictive value of 93.1 % and a combined specificity of 95 %. In predicting urinary tract infection, Leukocyte esterase and nitrites combined sensitivity of 82 % and negative predictive value of 83 %. In predicting urinary tract infection, Leukocyte esterase and pyuria has a combined sensitivity of 82 %. Hematuria and albuminuria, as single pararmeters has poor sensitivity, specificity and predictive values. This study concludes that leucocyte esterase in combination with nitrite or pyuria is the best rapid diagnostic tool.