ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CYTOKINE GENE POLYMORPHISMS AND RECURRENT URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) are among the most frequent bacterial infections in childhood and remain a significant cause of renal morbidity worldwide. Although bacterial virulence contributes to disease development, host genetic factors have emerged as important determinants of infection susceptibility and recurrence. Cytokine gene polymorphisms, particularly within interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) genes, influence inflammatory responses and may alter disease severity. This review summarizes current evidence regarding the association between cytokine gene polymorphisms and recurrent urinary tract infections in children, emphasizing their potential role as prognostic biomarkers and targets for personalized medical approaches.