Prophylaxis Options in Children With a History of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT: The prevention of urinary tract infection recurrence (UTI) in children has been a challenge yet to be solved. Current practice in children with recurrent UTI (RUTI) suggests that antibiotic prophylaxis may prevent further episodes of UTI and future complications. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing prophylaxis options for the prevention of UTI and kidney scarring in children with a history of RUTI. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a systematic literature search through major electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, Scopus and Cochrane Library) up to November 26th, 2023. Mean difference and SD were used for continuous outcomes and odds ratio for dichotomous outcomes. STUDY SELECTION: Our meta-analysis included 3335 participants from 23 studies. DATA EXTRACTION: The primary outcome was the effect of the different prophylaxis options on the incidence of symptomatic UTI in children with RUTI during prophylactic treatment. RESULTS: Cranberry products and nitrofurantoin lead to lower odds of symptomatic UTI episodes during prophylaxis compared with the control group and control, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or trimethoprim groups accordingly. Nitrofurantoin may be the best option for UTI incidence reduction compared with all available documented interventions. LIMITATIONS: No prophylaxis option has been shown to reduce kidney scarring. CONCLUSIONS: Nitrofurantoin and cranberry products may decrease the incidence of symptomatic UTI episodes in pediatric patients with a history of RUTI. Future randomized control trials studying nonantibiotic prophylaxis options focusing on children with UTI recurrence and the risk for kidney scarring are needed to draw further conclusions.