The accuracy and health risks of a voiding cystourethrogram after a febrile urinary tract infection.

Objective: Physicians often defer obtaining a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) after the diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) due to concerns regarding increased health risks and inflated rates of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). This study examines the health risks and accuracy of VCUG testing after diagnosis of a febrile UTI.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of children aged 0-18 years admitted to Nationwide Children's Hospital with a febrile UTI in 1995-2000.

A pilot study of 1 versus 3 days of dexamethasone as add-on therapy in children with streptococcal pharyngitis.

Background: Studies in adults, but not in children, have shown a beneficial effect of one dose of steroid on the severity and duration of throat pain in acute pharyngitis. The effectiveness of longer steroid treatment has not been evaluated in children.

Methods: We performed a randomized, double-blind, 3-arm, placebo-controlled trial to estimate the effectiveness of one dose versus 3 daily doses of oral dexamethasone in the treatment of 4- to 21-year-old patients with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) pharyngitis.