UTIs in children are common and treatable. To prevent complications, call your child's doctor to get treatment as soon as you notice symptoms.
Signs your child has a UTI
Urethra infection and bladder infection are the most common forms of UTI in children, but these infections can also affect the ureters and kidneys. If your child has a UTI, you may notice the following symptoms:
- Bedwetting
- Fever (occasionally the only symptom in babies)
- Foul-smelling, cloudy or blood-tinged urine
- Frequent urination, although very little urine may be produced
- Fussiness
- Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite
- Pain below your child's belly button
- Pain or burning sensation when your child urinates
- Waking at night to urinate
How are UTIs in children diagnosed?
It's important to know that UTI symptoms are similar to symptoms of other conditions and infections. Always contact your child's primary care doctor when symptoms appear. He or she will ask about your child's symptoms to determine if an examination is necessary.
To confirm a UTI and identify the type of bacteria causing it, the doctor may need a urine sample. Older children will be asked to urinate in a cup at the doctor's office. To diagnose a baby or young child, the doctor may need to:
- Insert a catheter through his or her urethra and into the bladder to collect urine.
- Collect urine by attaching a bag around his or her genitals, within a diaper, until the child urinates. This method carries a risk of urine contamination by normal skin bacteria.
How is a UTI in children treated?
A UTI in children is commonly treated using antibiotics. The doctor will send your child's urine sample to the lab, but analysis may take a couple of days. In the meantime, he or she will prescribe your child an antibiotic that treats the most common bacteria that cause UTIs. If your child's urine culture identifies bacteria that may be causing symptoms, but is not treated by that antibiotic, the doctor may prescribe a new antibiotic.
Be sure to give your child the antibiotic in the prescribed dosage at the prescribed times each day. Your child must finish the full antibiotic course to ensure the infection doesn't return. You should also encourage your child to drink plenty of water.
With proper treatment of a UTI in children, they should feel better in two to three days. Your doctor may need to perform further tests if your child has repeated infections. It is important to treat your child's UTI promptly because untreated infections can cause kidney damage or, in rare cases, a bacterial infection of the bloodstream known as sepsis.
What causes a UTI in children?
Bacteria, often the intestinal bacteria E. coli, can easily enter the urinary tract from the skin around the anus. UTIs are more common in girls, especially during potty training, because a girl's urethra is shorter and closer to the anus. Uncircumcised baby boys also have a slightly elevated risk. Some risk factors for UTI are not preventable, including:
- A structural or functional abnormality in the urinary tract (like a blockage).
- An abnormal backward flow of urine from the bladder up the ureters and toward the kidneys, known as vesicoureteral reflux, which is very common in kids with UTIs.
In some cases, additional tests such as ultrasound or bladder x-rays may be recommended to look for these conditions and to determine the most effective treatment.
How can UTIs be prevented in kids?
Following these tips may prevent symptoms of UTI in children.
- Encourage your child to use the bathroom when he or she has to go, rather than holding it.
- Teach your child how to properly wipe, front to back, after going to the bathroom.
- Buy your potty-trained child cotton underwear, which allows the area to dry properly.
- Dress your child in loose-fitting clothes, because tight clothes can trap moisture.
- Make sure your child drinks enough fluids each day, preferably water. Ask your doctor how many ounces your child needs. Babies consume what they need through breastmilk or formula.
With proper treatment of a UTI, most kids will feel better in a couple days. Learn signs, symptoms and how to treat UTI in kids from @Childrens.
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