Abstract

CRAINBERRY JUICE: A PREVENTIVE MEASURE FOR URINARY TRACT INFECTION IN CHILDREN

Udaya Lakshmi K.*, Bhavya V., Hema Latha A., Durga Prasad T. S., Ranganayakulu D.

Abstract

Cranberries have long been the focus of interest for their beneficial effects in preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs). Cranberries contain 2 compounds with anti-adherence properties that prevent fimbriated Escherichia coli from adhering to uro-epithelial cells in the urinary tract. Systematic reviews have concluded that no reliable evidence supports the use of cranberry in the treatment or prophylaxis of urinary tract infections; however, more recent randomized controlled trials demonstrate evidence of cranberry’s utility in urinary tract infection prophylaxis. Most importantly, the trials have used a wide variety of cranberry products, such as cranberry juice concentrate, cranberry juice cocktail, and cranberry capsules, and they have used different dosing regimens.

Keywords: Escherichia coli.