The role of antimicrobial prophylaxis in the management of children with vesicoureteral reflux--the RIVUR study outcomes.

The role of antimicrobial prophylaxis for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections in children with vesicoureteral reflux that was identified following a urinary tract infection has been the source of considerable debate. Prior studies had failed to show a benefit in the prevention of recurrent infection. The National Institutes of Health funded the Randomized Intervention for Vesicoureteral Reflux (RIVUR) study to determine if there was a benefit to the use of prophylaxis. Results of the RIVUR study indicated that there was a 50% reduction in the risk of recurrent urinary tract infection in those children on the prophylaxis arm. Adverse events with the use of prophylaxis were noted to be few. Renal scarring was noted in only a small number of children at study entry and no reduction in scarring was noted between the placebo and the treated groups. The impact of the RIVUR study on the current evaluation and management of children with urinary tract infections and vesicoureteral reflux is detailed.