Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Children are said to have urinary tract infections (UTIs) when a culture done on their urine grows bacteria in high amounts.
Urinary tract infections may involve just the bladder or they may involve the bladder and the kidneys. Most infections without fever are confined to the bladder. Most infections with fever are in the bladder and the kidneys.
Younger children may have vague non-specific symptoms such as irritability, abdominal pain or fever. A child old enough to talk may complain of pain with urination, an urgent need to void or may make frequent trips to the bathroom. A parent may notice increased urine accidents or a strong odor to the urine. Not all children who have these symptoms have a urinary tract infection, so it is important to have a urine culture to confirm an infection.
How often do UTIs occur?
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect about 3 percent of children in the United States every year. Throughout childhood, the risk of a UTI is 2 percent for boys and 8 percent for girls. UTIs account for more than 1 million visits to pediatricians' offices every year. The symptoms are not always obvious to parents, and younger children are usually unable to describe how they feel.
Causes of urinary tract infections
There are many reasons why children get urinary tract infections. Urine holding or constipation can be a significant factor. Some children are unable to relax completely when they void, causing bladder irritation. Some children have changes in their anatomy that make infections more likely.
How is a urinary tract infection treated?
Infections in young children or those that are very severe may need intravenous (IV)antibiotics. Most urine infections are treated with antibiotics given by mouth. A repeat culture should be done after the antibiotic is complete to make sure the infection is gone.
If children have an infection in the kidneys or an infection with fever, they may be referred to the Division of Urology to evaluate for vesicoureteral reflux, a condition in which a child's urine flows backward from the full bladder up the ureters to the kidneys. This abnormality is common in children with urinary infections.
If children have several urinary tract infections without fever, they may be referred to the advanced practice nurses in urology to be evaluated for dysfunctional elimination. The care providers in the division will work with you and your family to understand the causes of your child's infection and to break the cycle of repeated infections.