Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between urinary tract infection (UTI), vesical-uretero-renal reflux (VUR) and renal parenchyma damage, without chronic renal failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 85 children with UTI consulting at the ambulatory paediatric unit of a private university centre in Chile, with at least 3 anthropometric evaluations: before, during and after the UTI. The group was divided into two subgroups: with and without VUR. A descriptive and inferential analysis was made. Simple regression modelling and likelihood ratio test was done for the anthropometric measures. RESULTS: Thirty nine children had VUR (46%). Both subgroups were similar. There were no difference in the nutritional status between these. Only girls with VUR have a tendency toward lower height. There was significant association between renal damage, VUR and degree of severity of it. There was no difference in the index weight for height among children with renal damage with or without RVU. In this series, other risk factors as less age, recurrent UTI and bilateral VUR with renal damage, were not cause of malnourish and lower height. CONCLUSIONS: UTI with or without VUR, with or without renal damage, excluding chronic renal failure, might not be a cause of bad physical development in children.