# Temporal trends and geographical variations in pediatric urinary tract infections: a comprehensive analysis using the global burden of disease study 2021

## TL;DR

This study analyzed global trends in pediatric urinary tract infections from 1990 to 2021, finding an overall increase in cases despite declining rates in some regions.

## Contribution

The study provides the first comprehensive global analysis of pediatric UTI trends using GBD 2021 data, highlighting regional disparities.

## Key findings

- Global pediatric UTI cases increased by 10% from 1990 to 2021.
- Low-middle SDI regions, especially South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, had the highest burden.
- Age-standardized rates declined, but absolute burden increased.

## Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a major public health concern, yet the burden in children remains poorly quantified. This study analyzed global, regional, and national trends in pediatric UTIs from 1990 to 2021.

Using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data, we assessed incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for individuals aged ≤ 14 years. Age-standardized incidence (ASIR) and DALY rates (ASDR), along with estimated annual percentage changes (EAPC), were calculated by age, sex, and region.

From 1990 to 2021, the incidence of urinary tract infections and the global burden of associated diseases remained consistently higher among pediatric populations compared to the general population. Globally, there were 50,173,655 UTI cases in 2021, marking a 10% increase from 45,485,831 in 1990. The age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 population decreased from 2,615.40 in 1990 to 2,493.89 in 2021, with an estimated annual percentage change of −17% (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.33 to −0.01). Additionally, the number of disability-adjusted life years associated with UTIs in pediatric populations decreased by 33%, from 827,127 in 1990 to 554,185 in 2021. The age-standardized disability rate also decreased from 0.53 per 100,000 in 1990 to 0.30 per 100,000 in 2021, with an EAPC of −1.36 (95% CI −1.51 to −1.21). The highest burden was in low-middle SDI regions, especially South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Despite a modest decline in age-standardized rates, the absolute burden of pediatric UTIs increased from 1990 to 2021. Disparities across SDI regions highlight the need for targeted, age- and region-specific public health strategies to reduce the global impact of pediatric UTIs.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41182-025-00829-y.