Abstract
Background: Targeted urinalysis has been suggested to improve screening efficiency in adults. However, there is no well-defined target population in children yet, with limited information on the risk factors for urinalysis abnormalities.Methods: Children from infants to 17 years old were randomly selected. Dipstick urinalysis was initially performed. Among those who were abnormal, a repeat dipstick or dipstick with microscopic urinalysis was performed for confirmation.Results: In total, 70,822 children were included, with 37,866 boys and 32,956 girls. Prevalence of abnormal urinalysis was 4.3%. Age was significantly associated with abnormal urinalysis, with the highest prevalence among 12–14-year-olds. Girls were 2.0 times more likely to exhibit abnormalities. Compared with children whose guardians had a college degree or higher, those whose guardians had a high school degree or lower had a higher likelihood of abnormalities. Geographic location was also associated with abnormal results.Conclusion: Girls, children aged 12–14 years old, and children whose guardians had a low educational level and children in certain geographic locations were significantly associated with abnormal urinalysis. Identification of children at high risk would contribute to targeted urinalysis screening.
Highlights
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is considered one of the most harmful diseases among children, causing heavy social and economic burdens on patients’ families [1, 2]
Urinalysis has been broadly utilized for CKD screening because it is cheap, widely available and non-invasive
The specificity and cost-effectiveness of urinalysis screening in children have been doubted for decades
Summary
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is considered one of the most harmful diseases among children, causing heavy social and economic burdens on patients’ families [1, 2]. Optional strategies to detect CKD in healthy children include urinalysis, kidney ultrasound and serum markers of kidney function. Abnormal Urinalysis in Children [3,4,5]. The specificity and cost-effectiveness of urinalysis screening in children have been doubted for decades. American experts hold a quite different opinion. They concluded that urinalysis screening is unnecessary and cost-ineffective in children [10]. Most of the controversies should be attributed to the low prevalence of abnormalities and low specificity of urinalysis in the screening process [6, 12]. There is no well-defined target population in children yet, with limited information on the risk factors for urinalysis abnormalities
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
