Description

ABSTRACT
Background: Early identification of kidney diseases in children and adolescents is an important initial step in
prevention of chronic kidney diseases (CKD).Mass urinary screening is a useful tool to identify children with
asymptomatic progressive renal disease. The current study was undertaken to screen asymptomatic children
between the ages of 5 and 10 years for detecting urinary abnormalities.
Method: The present study was conducted among 1000 school going children from 3schools of Payyanur
district of North Kerala. Urine was examined by dipstick for color, turbidity, P.H, specific gravity, albumin and
glucose. Samples were also examined microscopically for R.B.C, W.B.C, casts and bacteria. Culture was done for
samples found to be abnormal.
Results:1) 95.8% of children had normal appearing urine, 2.9% had turbid urine and 1.3 % had cloudy urine. 2.4
% had tested positive for urinary sugar. 1.3 % of students had trace albuminuria and 2.9 % students had
albuminuria of 1+. 11.2 % of children had pus cells in urine out of which 1.2 % students had pus cells >= 5. 0.5%
students have epithelial cells more than >=5/ hpf. 1.9 % students had RBC in urine. 0.3 % had crystals in their
urine 0.4 % students had bacteria present in urine. A total of 0.6% of children had positive urine cultures with
count >100000 cfu/ ml
Conclusion: In conclusion, asymptomatic urinary abnormalities might be detected by urine screening program
at school age. Further work-up should be offered to define the exact etiology of any abnormal finding and to
determine whether early detection of renal disorders in childhood will lead to effective interventions and
reduction in the number of individuals who develop end-stage renal disease.
Key words: Urinary screening, Renal disease, Urinary tract infection, Dipstick, Urinary abnormality, Micturition,
Proteinuria