UTIs are the most common bacterial infections in children. However, their clinical presentation can vary significantly[13]. The use of urine culture is still considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of UTIs[14]. This research is the first large epidemiological study to systematically investigate the association between meteorological factors and the pathogens causing UTIs in a 6-years retrospective cohort of 2441 pediatric patients with UTIs. Our findings reveal interesting results through multiple linear stepwise regression models, indicating positive correlations between the total number of pathogenic bacteria (especially, E. coli, and E. faecalis) causing UTIs and the average monthly temperature, precipitation, and hours of sunshine.
Our study reveals that temperature affects the occurrence of UTIs in children. The significant correlation between the total number of pathogenic bacteria and the monthly average temperature suggests that warmer weather may contribute to the proliferation and survival of these bacteria. Dehydration due to warmer weather leading to lower urine output has been proposed as a possible reason for the seasonality of UTIs[15–17].
Furthermore, warmer weather may have other effects that increase the risk of UTIs. For instance, bacterial burden near the urethral opening tends to increase during warmer weather[10], as does bacterial skin colonization[18]. The positive correlation between the UTIs caused by E. coli and E. faecalis with precipitation can be attributed to several factors. Increased precipitation can lead to higher concentrations of E. coli in urban streams and may wash fecal matter into storm drains and environmental water[19, 20], thereby increasing children’s exposure and risk of developing UTIs.
The positive correlation between the E. coli detection count in the urinary tract and sunshine hours may be attributed to the extended outdoor activity time for children during longer daylight periods. Additionally, in China, the common practice of using diapers for children could potentially contribute to this correlation. Increased sunshine hours may result in more frequent and prolonged diaper usage, creating favorable conditions for the proliferation of E. coli and potentially increasing the risk of UTIs. However, further research is needed to validate these hypotheses and establish a direct causal relationship.
The climate in Wuhan is known for its scorching heat, earning it the nickname “furnace.” This is especially true during the months of May to July when the city experiences intense summer heatwaves. Consequently, there is a likelihood of increased usage of recreational water facilities such as swimming pools and water sprays. Children have a preference for water play, which undoubtedly raises the risk of UTIs.
Our study demonstrated E. coli as the main causative agent of UTIs among the children of Wuhan (27.1%), followed by E. faecalis (24.6%) and E. faecalis (20.7%). Other studies have indicated E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and P. aeruginosa to be major pathogens[21–23]. These discrepancies in study findings may be attributed to regional variations, differences in environmental factors, and variations in population demographics. Our findings also revealed interesting patterns regarding the predominance of specific pathogens in different age groups and gender differences in pathogen distribution. Children aged 0–1 year were the major demographics at risk of infection by E. faecium, while those aged 3–18 years were the major demographics at risk of infection by E. coli. Significant gender variations were also noted. E. faecium exhibited a higher prevalence in girls than it did in boys, while E. faecalis showed a higher prevalence in boys. Similar gender disparities were observed for K. aerogenes, P. mirabilis, and M. morganii. These findings suggest that the distribution of certain pathogens may be influenced by gender-specific factors[24]. Furthermore, the etiological profile of E. coli demonstrated an increasing trend in girls with advancing age, while it remained stable in boys. Additionally, both male and female newborns were predominantly affected by E. faecium, indicating its significance as a common pathogen in the early stages of life[25].
In addition, our study demonstrated that resistance rates to ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim, penicillin, tetracycline, fluoroquinolones, and cephalosporins were higher in all age groups. These findings suggest that the inappropriate use of these drugs, particularly in community settings, may contribute to the observed elevated resistance rates. However, it is noteworthy that E. coli demonstrated resistance rates of < 10% against carbapenems, piperacillin–tazobactam, and nitrofurantoin. Therefore, these antibiotics could be considered as suitable empirical treatment options for UTIs caused by E. coli. Additionally, E. faecium and E. faecalis showed no resistance to linezolid, vancomycin, tigecycline, and furazolidone across all age groups. Hence, these antibiotics are effective treatment options.
Resistance patterns may vary across different age groups, For example, E. faecium showed relatively lower resistance to high-level gentamicin in the 29-d–12-month age groups. E. faecalis exhibited high resistance rates to fluoroquinolones in both the ≤ 28-day and 6–18-year age groups. Therefore, it is important to consider the age group when selecting appropriate treatment options for enterococcal infections.
The novelty of this study lies in integrating the distribution of pathogens, age-related characteristics, antibiotic resistance, and the correlation with meteorological factors, providing a comprehensive understanding of uropathogenic infections in pediatric UTIs and their association with meteorological factors. This will contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of pediatric UTIs and provide a scientific basis for developing more effective prevention and treatment strategies. Moreover, this study will provide valuable clinical guidance to pediatricians. By understanding the distribution of pathogens and antibiotic resistance in different age groups of children with UTIs, healthcare professionals can make better-informed decisions regarding appropriate antibiotic treatment and avoid the issues of antibiotic resistance resulting from overuse. Furthermore, investigating the association between meteorological factors and pediatric UTIs can help predict and address seasonal peaks and develop relevant preventive measures.
Our study has several limitations. First, the study was conducted in a single healthcare facility with pediatric patients mainly from Wuhan. Hence, we cannot generalize our findings to other populations or districts. Hence, future studies should consider multicenter and/or multipopulation-based approaches. Second, the study focused on the association between meteorological factors and the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria. However, it did not explore the underlying mechanisms or causality. Therefore, further research is needed to elucidate the specific pathways through which weather conditions may influence the occurrence and spread of pediatric UTIs. Additionally, changes in pathogen distribution and antibiotic resistance patterns over time were not extensively explored. Longitudinal studies with extended follow-up periods would be valuable in monitoring temporal trends and assessing the effectiveness of interventions aimed at mitigating antibiotic resistance in pediatric UTIs.
Despite these limitations, our results still fills the gap between meteorological factors and pathogenic bacterial infections in pediatric UTIs,and provide valuable insights into the potential impact of meteorological factors on pediatric UTIs, revealing the common pathogens that cause pediatric UTIs.