1 Cleveland Metropolitan, General Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, 3395 Scranton Road Cleveland 9, Ohio
To my knowledge Dr. Biasini et al. have presented the only data dealing with the relative frequency of urinary tract infections in full-term and premature infants. We too are engaged in prospective studies which may shed light on this question but the answer will be some time in coming. Until we know more, I would agree that prematures should be suspect and routinely investigated after the third week of life. Studies also are needed regarding the maternal role in this problem, although we have data which tend to incriminate the nursery rather than the mother.
The findings of Dr. Biasini and his colleagues again point out the late appearance of the illness. This time factor may be very important. Perhaps it reflects the decay of an immunological protective material gotten from the mother.