Aims and objective of the study: Urinary tract infection(UTI) is one of the most commonest bacterial infection encountered in the pediatric age group. Early diagnosis is of utmost importance to preserve renal function and reduce long term complications such as renal scarring. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of UTI in pediatric population, identify the common uropathogens and study the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in Department of Microbiology, GMC Amritsar for a period of 6 months from 1 Jan 2021 till 30 June 2021 amongst the pediatric patients (1 month-12 years age group) with clinically suspected UTI including both indoor and outdoor patients. Clean catch midstream urine samples received in the laboratory were processed as per the standard microbiological guidelines. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method as per CLSI guidelines. Results: A total of 549 samples were received and processed during study period from which 164(29.87%) were culture positive. Culture positivity was more prevalent in females (61.58%) than males (38.41%). Gram negative organisms were predominant (74.4%) followed by gram positive cocci (22.56%) and Candida (3.05%). Among gram negative organisms Escherichia coli was most predominant followed by Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp., Proteus spp. and Citrobacter spp. Among gram positive cocci Staphylococcus aureus was most predominant followed by Coagulase negative Staphylococci and Enterococcus spp. Majority of gram negative bacilli were resistant to fluroquinolones, 3^rd generation cephalosporins and co-trimoxazole while nitrofurantoin, piperacillin-tazobactam and gentamicin were most sensitive drugs. Among Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin resistance was seen in 17% isolates. High sensitivity was seen to linezolid and vancomycin in gram positive cocci. Conclusion: This study highlights increased prevalence of MDR uropathogens in pediatric population which indicates that antibiotic selection should be based on knowledge of local prevalence of bacterial organisms and their antibiotic sensitivities with rational use of antibiotics.

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