Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole in Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection in Children

Abstract

The combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) in the proportion of 4 mg of TMP to 20 mg of SMZ was used in 51 children with recurrent urinary-tract infections who had failed to respond to long-term therapy with other antimicrobial regimens. Included were 34 patients with normal urinary tracts or with minimal or no lower tract abnormalities, nine with parenchymal damage but normal renal function, and eight with severe structural abnormalities of the urinary tract and reduced renal function. TMP-SMZ was effective in maintaining the urine sterile in all but the complicated cases for periods up to 22 months. In approximately half the patients infection recurred soon after treatment was discontinued. No adverse effects were observed in any of the patients.