Proteinuria and haematuria as predictors of schistosomiasis in children

SUMMARY

Examination of urine samples from 922 children from Epe and surrounding communities in south-western Nigeria indicated a 13% prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium infection. Children, 10–14 years of age, accounted for 65% of the disease prevalence. Approximately 79% of the study population was negative for proteinuria, while 52·6% of children with 30 mg% proteinuria were positive for S. haematobium infection. However, 96% and 100% of all children who, respectively, had 30 mg% and 100 mg% proteinuria, in addition to haematuria, were found to be positive for the schistosome infection. This finding indicates that the use of haematuria and proteinuria as a combined diagnostic index significantly increased the sensitivity and specificity of the individual tests. Bacteriuria was found in 8·5% of infected children, compared with 5·2% of the control group. Streptococcus faecalis and E. coli were the two bacteria isolated from the urine specimens.