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allied
academies
International Conference on
FAMILY MEDICINE AND FAMILY PHYSICIANS
October 16-17, 2017 | Toronto, Canada
Arch Gen Intern Med 2017 | Volume 1 Issue 3
Context:
Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the
leading cause of morbidity in children, and in patients with
spinal cord injuries. While traditionally cranberry has been
used to reduce UTIs, the evidence of its effectiveness is
conflicting, especially in children with neurogenic bladders
from spinal cord injuries. As such, family physicians are
unable to offer clear recommendations on cranberry use for
this population group.
Objective:
To evaluate the existing data regarding the use
of cranberry supplements as UTI prophylaxis in paediatric
spinal cord injured patients with neurogenic bladders.
Design:
Three literature searches of Medline databases
with no date limits were conducted using combinations of
the following terms: “pediatrics”, “urinary tract infections”,
“cranberry juice”, and “spinal cord injuries”.
Results:
No studies to date on cranberry as UTI prophylaxis
in paediatric spinal cord injured patients. Two systematic
reviews were identified with one focused on cranberry
supplements as UTI prophylaxis in the spinal cord injured, and
the other focused on its use in children. Neither study found
good supporting evidence for cranberry as UTI prophylaxis
in patients, children or adult, with neurogenic bladders.
However, there is evidence to support cranberry use for UTI
prevention in healthy children without neurogenic bladders.
Conclusions:
Extrapolating from the limited evidence
to support cranberry use for UTI prevention in patients
with neurogenic bladders, regardless of age, cranberry
supplements may not be effective as UTI prophylaxis in
paediatric spinal cord injured patients. More rigorous clinical
research is needed to confirm this.
e:
jennie.ding@ucalgary.caReview of current evidence: Cranberry supplementation as possible UTI prevention in paediatric spinal
cord injured patients
Jennie Ding
University of Calgary, Canada, Canada