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Empirical oral AntibioticS for possible UTI in well appearing Young febrile infants (EASY)

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common serious bacterial infections in febrile infants. Current UK guidelines recommend parenteral antibiotics for infants under three months with suspected UTI, despite evidence supporting oral therapy in low-risk infants. Objectives: To assess whether oral antibiotics are non-inferior to parenteral antibiotics for treating suspected UTIs based on treatment failure, need for additional therapy, and secondary outcomes. Design: Multicentre, randomised controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial with embedded internal pilot. Setting: Twenty one paediatric emergency departments and assessment units across the UK. Participants: Infants aged 29-90 days with suspected UTI, abnormal urinalysis, and low risk of invasive bacterial infection. Exclusion criteria included prematurity, prior hospitalisation, structural renal abnormalities, and clinical signs of sepsis or meningitis. Interventions: Participants were randomised 1:1 to receive either oral antibiotics or standard care with intravenous (IV) antibiotics for 36-48 hours pending urine culture results. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was the requirement for additional parenteral antibiotics within seven days of randomisation. A range of secondary outcomes were also planned, including treatment failure, time to recovery, adverse events, antibiotic adherence, quality of life, family impact, and healthcare resource use.Feasibility outcomes collected during the internal pilot included recruitment rate, site activation, protocol adherence, and retention. Clinical outcomes were collected but not powered for formal comparison. Results: 27 participants were recruited between 20 May 2024 and 13 March 2025 (which included the 6 month internal pilot), representing 27% of the pilot target. Protocol adherence was high, and no cases of meningitis occurred. Two cases of bacteraemia (one per randomised group) had uncomplicated clinical courses. Oral therapy was associated with shorter hospital stays and reduced parental time off work. Conclusions: While trial procedures were successfully implemented, recruitment challenges suggest that a larger randomised trial of this treatment comparison is not feasible in this setting. Trial management: Northern Ireland Clinical Trials Unit (NICTU). Trial registration: ISRCTN Clinical Trials Registry, ISRCTN10907780, Trial Dates 20 May 2024 to 13 March 2025.

Source: NIHR Open Research

DOI: 10.3310/nihropenres.14103.2