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More than a quarter of children with ureteral stents developed urinary tract infections despite being on antibiotic prophylaxis, a new study finds. Stents left in place for more than 4 weeks were over three times more likely to lead to infection compared to shorter durations. Alarmingly, nearly a third of the bacteria causing these infections were multidrug-resistant.
A retrospective study of 124 pediatric patients found that 27.4% developed symptomatic breakthrough urinary tract infections (UTIs) while carrying double-J ureteral stents — even with continuous antibiotic prophylaxis. The findings, published in the Journal of Pediatric Urology, highlight a significant gap in current preventive strategies for children undergoing urological procedures.
The biggest risk factor? How long the stent stays in. Children with stents in place for more than 4 weeks were more than three times as likely to develop a UTI compared to those with shorter dwell times (38.1% vs. 16.4%). A history of pre-operative UTI also nearly tripled the odds of a post-operative infection.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: With nearly one-third of infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria, the study urges clinicians to minimize stent dwell time, closely monitor high-risk patients, and rely on culture-guided treatment rather than escalating empirical antibiotics.
