Management of pediatric urinary tract infections in the emergency department

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common diagnosis in pediatric patients presenting to the emergency department. Although there are several evidence-based guidelines for UTI, they have small variations that can make the workup and management for UTI challenging. This issue reviews the current state of the literature and best practices for the diagnosis and management of UTI in children presenting to the emergency department, including criteria to help the clinician decide whether to test a patient's urine, the best method for urine testing based on the clinical scenario, and how to manage the patient based on the results of urine testing. Also discussed is the best antibiotic choice for specific patients, including the route of administration and duration.