Prevalence of urinary abnormalities in asymptomatic school going children by dipstick method.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of urinary abnormalities in asymptomatic school children.

Methods: This observational study was conducted at King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital Lahore. Children of 5-15 year of age from Central Model School, Lower Mall, Lahore were included from March to May, 2022. Children having prior renal or systemic disease, on steroids and menstruating girls at the time of urinalysis were excluded. In first screening, children's urine was collected in clean 20mL vessel and examined using urinary dipstick. Children with aberrant results were re-screened after two weeks.

Result: Out of total 1600 children, majority were male 1416(88.5%) with mean age 11.92±2.47 years. Urinary abnormalities were observed in 278(17.38%) children on first screening and 86(5.38%) on second screening. Isolated proteinuria was present in 131(8.19%) children on first screening and 26(1.62%) on second screening. Isolated hematuria was present in 100(6.50%) on first screening and 33(2.06%) on second screening. Isolated pyuria was present in 24(1.50%) on first screening and 14(0.88%) on second screening. Combined proteinuria and hematuria were present in 10(0.62%) on first screening and two (0.12%) on second screening. Combined proteinuria and pyuria were present in three (0.19%) on first screening and three (0.19%) on second screening. Combined hematuria and pyuria were present in nine (0.56%) on first screening and five (0.31%) on second screening. Combined proteinuria, hematuria and pyuria was present in one (0.06%) on first screening and three (0.19%) on second screening.

Conclusion: Urine screening is necessary for early detection and management of kidney diseases. Marked number of children was found having urinary abnormalities. Asymptomatic proteinuria was the most common finding reflecting underlying kidney pathology going undiagnosed.