Cranberry in children: prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections and review of the literature

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in childhood. In 30-50% of children with UTI the infections occur recurrently, especially in those with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), neurogenic bladder (NB), previous cystitis or pyelonephritis and malformative uropathies. To reduce the likelihood of UTI, antibiotic prophylaxis has been regarded as the therapeutic standard for many years. However, the disadvantage of long-term antibiotic therapy is the potential for development of collateral effects and resistant organisms in the host. Such reasons have induced scientists to search for alternative modalities of UTI prevention and have contributed to determining the increasing desire for "naturalness" of the population and preventing excessive medication. The use of cranberry fulfils these needs by potentially replacing or enhancing traditional procedures. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of cranberry in preventing UTI in pediatric populations. We searched Pubmed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Internet. Cranberry in patients with previous UTI was evaluated in three studies, cranberry in patients with VUR in three studies and four studies analyzed the efficacy of cranberry in children with NB. In seven of nine studies cranberry had a significant effect in preventing UTI.

The Influence of pH on the Specific Adhesion of P Piliated Escherichia coli

“…These assumptions have also been confirmed by clinical studies [41], [42], [43]. In this work we demonstrate the effect of pH on the adhesion properties of isolated P pili as well as P pili expressing E. coli .…”

“…Due to their ability to increase the acidity of urine, cranberry juice and ascorbic acid have been suggested as prophylaxis against urinary tract infection. These assumptions have also been confirmed by clinical studies [41] , [42] , [43] . In this work we demonstrate the effect of pH on the adhesion properties of isolated P pili as well as P pili expressing E. coli .…”

Cranberry: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity and Impact on Human Health: Overview

“…This is mainly due to the PACs content in cranberry [ 35 ], especially proanthocyanidin A [ 36 ]. Several studies have confirmed the positive effect of cranberry on urinary tract inflammation, not only for adults [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ] but also for children [ 48 , 49 , 50 ]. It was found that PACs contained in cranberries prevent adherence of E. coli to uroepithelial cells in the urinary tract [ 44 , 45 , 56 ].…”

“…The most common issues on the cranberry effect on human health are investigated in reviews [ 18 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Cranberries have an anti-bacterial effect and in various forms (juice, concentrated powders, capsules and tablets) have been traditionally used to treat cystitis and urinary tract infections (UTIs) [ 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 ]. A study noted that the consumption of cranberry juice reduced the number of UTIs by 39% in women [ 34 ].…”

Efecto de los arándanos sobre el estado oxidativo de la leche en madres con mastitis

“…Esta adhesión a las células epiteliales se debe a unas proteínas denominadas adhesinas que se encuentran en las fimbrias de la bacteria que las convierte en patogénicas (Hancock et al, 2008;Dessi et al, 2011). Las proantocianidinas de tipo A parecen ser responsables de la acción antiséptica y antibacteriana del arándano.…”