Antimicrobial Prophylaxis for Children With Vesicoureteral Reflux

Abstract

This chapter summarizes the Randomized Intervention for Children with Vesicoureteral Reflux (RIVUR) trial, a landmark trial that randomized children with vesicoureteral reflux diagnosed after a first or second febrile or symptomatic urinary tract infection to receive trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) prophylaxis versus placebo. It found that antibiotic prophylaxis reduced the incidence of recurrent febrile or symptomatic urinary tract infection but had little effect on renal scarring. Recurrent febrile or symptomatic urinary tract infections resistant pathogens were increased. This study provides the underpinning for guidelines that advocate for low-dose antibiotic prophylaxis for the first year of life; however, this remains an area of considerable controversy.