J Clin Pathol Qual Control.  1998 Jun;20(1):273-280.

The Efficacy of Urine Dipstic Screening Test for Elementary School Children in Puchon, Korea

• Chung MK

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The urinalysis before puberty is known to be helpful for the early detection of renal disease. And, early treatment of kidney can decrease to proceed renal disease and minimize the treatment cost. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the urine dipstick tests for elementary children in Puchon, Korea.
METHODS
From March to November, 1997, 40,714 elementary school children in Puchon, Korea, were screened by 5-item urine dipstick analysis (protein, glucose, blood, urobilinogen, bilirubin). Those who showed abnormal findings were retested 8-items urine dipstick analysis (5 item plus leukocytes, nitrite, ketone). The children with persistent abnormal urinalysis findings were examined for urine sediment, blood chemistry (total protein, aspartic acid transaminase, alanine transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, glucose). Urine culture was performed for those pyuria and bacteriuria cases. Those with hematuria were retested with dipstick urinalysis, serum calcium and uric acid, 6 months later.
RESULTS
Four point two percent (1709/40714) had an initial abnormal urinalysis. Upon retesting only 0.81% (388/40714) of patients had a persistent abnormality with 8-items urine dipstick analysis; 0.23% for blood, 0.17% for leukocyte, confirmed by urine sediment microscopic examination. Persistent proteinuria was found only in 1 case (0.002%) and those who with abnormal liver function test were 0.007%. The urine culture was positive in 5 cases (7.35%) among pyuria and bacteriuria patients. The persistent hematuria after 6 months were found 83.34% among initial hematuria cases.
CONCLUSIONS
I think that the mass screening by urine dipstick analysis of elementary children seems to be helpful for early detection of renal and other disease, although its cost-effectiveness may be reevaluated.

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Alanine Transaminase
Aspartic Acid
Bacteriuria
Blood Glucose
Blood Urea Nitrogen
Calcium
Chemistry
Child*
Creatinine
Gyeonggi-do*
Health Care Costs
Hematuria
Humans
Kidney
Korea*
Leukocytes
Liver Function Tests
Mass Screening*
Proteinuria
Puberty
Pyuria
Uric Acid
Urinalysis
Urobilinogen
Alanine Transaminase
Aspartic Acid
Blood Glucose
Calcium
Creatinine
Uric Acid
Urobilinogen