Urinary tract infection in children

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a problem that happens when germs (called bacteria) get into the urinary tract and cause an infection.

Your child's urinary tract is the system that makes urine and carries it out of your child's body. It includes the bladder and the kidneys and the tubes that connect them. Most UTIs are bladder infections.

UTIs in children must be treated right away. A UTI that is not treated quickly can lead to a kidney infection.

UTIs in children may not cause obvious urinary symptoms. Symptoms of a UTI in an infant or young child may include:

• A fever. This may be the only symptom in infants.
• Being fussy.
• Not being hungry.
• Failure to gain weight or develop normally.
• Urine that smells bad.
• Crying during urination.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.

Older children are more likely to have symptoms such as:

• Pain or burning when urinating.
• The need to urinate often, but usually passing only small amounts of urine.
• Loss of bladder control, new bed-wetting, or other changes in urination habits.
• Lower belly pain.
• Urine that is red, pink, cloudy, or that smells bad.
• Pain in the flank. This is felt just below the rib cage and above the waist on one or both sides of the back.

To diagnose a UTI, your doctor will ask for a sample of your child's urine. It's tested to see if it has germs that cause bladder infections. Your doctor will also ask about your child's health and do a physical exam.

If your doctor thinks your child has a UTI, the doctor may have your child start taking antibiotics right away before getting the results of the test.

Your doctor may do other tests if your child has a UTI and:

• Is younger than 2 years old and has a fever.
• Doesn't get better after 4 days of medicine.
• May have a problem with the urinary tract.
• Has had kidney or bladder problems that could make the UTI harder to treat.
• May be infected with unusual bacteria that won't respond to the usual treatment.

Treatment for most children with a UTI is oral antibiotics and home care. Home care includes helping your child drink extra fluids as soon as you notice symptoms. And it includes urging your child to urinate often.

Infants and young children with a UTI need early treatment. This is to prevent kidney damage or widespread infection (sepsis). Your doctor is likely to start treating your child based on the symptoms and urine test.

Sometimes the doctor may give your child a shot of antibiotics. This can happen if your child is younger than 3 months, is too nauseated or sick to take oral medicines, or has an impaired immune system. Or your child may need antibiotics given through a vein (I.V.). This is given in a hospital. After your child's fever and other symptoms improve and your child is feeling better, the doctor may give your child oral antibiotics.

• If the doctor prescribed antibiotics for your child, give them as directed. Do not stop using them just because your child feels better. Your child needs to take the full course of antibiotics.
• The doctor may also give your child a medicine to ease the burning pain of a UTI. This will often turn the urine red or orange. The urine will return to its normal color after your child stops the medicine.
• Try to get your child to drink extra fluids for the next 24 hours. This will help flush bacteria out of the bladder. Do not give your child drinks that have caffeine or that are carbonated. They can make the bladder sore.
• Tell your child to urinate often and to empty the bladder each time.
• A warm bath may help your child feel better. Soaps and bubble baths can cause irritation. Wait until the end of the bath to use soap.

Preventing future UTIs

• Make sure that your child drinks plenty of water each day. This helps your child urinate often, which clears bacteria from the body.
• Encourage your child to urinate as soon as they need to.
• Offer your child foods with fiber such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This can help your child have regular stools that are soft and pass easily. Preventing constipation may also help prevent UTIs.