Do not perform voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) routinely in first febrile urinary tract infection (UTI) in children aged 2-24 months.
The risks associated with radiation (plus the discomfort and expense of the procedure) outweigh the risk of delaying the detection of the few children with correctable genitourinary abnormalities until their second UTI.
Sources
AAP Clinical Practice Guideline: Urinary Tract Infection: Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of the Initial UTI in Febrile Infants and Children 2 to 24 Months.
ACR-SPR Practice Guideline for the Performance of Voiding Cystourethrography in Children.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence 2007. Urinary tract infection in children: Diagnosis, treatment and long-term management.
Marie E Westwood, Penny F Whiting, Julie Cooper, Ian S Watt and Jos Kleijnen. Further investigation of confirmed urinary tract infection (UTI) in children under five years: a systematic review. BMC Pediatrics 2005 Mar 15;5:2
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This recommendation is provided solely for informational purposes and is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. Patients with any specific questions about this recommendation or their individual situation should consult their physician.