Urinary tract infections (UTI) in children

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common issue in kids. Here's everything you need to know about what causes them, how to prevent them, and the best ways to treat them.

What is a UTI?

A UTI is an infection that can affect any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. These infections are common in kids, especially girls after age one. Boys are more susceptible to UTIs before age one, especially if they're uncircumcised. UTIs are also common in children when they begin toilet training.

UTIs are easy to treat and should be treated immediately, as untreated UTIs can lead to kidney infections.

Causes of UTIs in children

Young children with UTIs may have a fever, poor appetite, or may be asymptomatic.

• Escherichia coli (E. coli) (bacterial infection)
• Urinary tract malformations
• Bladder dysfunction
• Constipation
• Uncircumcised
• History of UTIs
• Tight-fitting clothing (girls)
• Bath soaps (girls)
• Holding in urine
• Improper wiping after using the bathroom
• Vesicoureteral reflux, a condition where urine flows backward from the bladder to one or both ureters or the kidneys.

Signs and symptoms of UTIs in children

• Fever
• Dysuria (painful urination)
• Frequent urination
• Abdominal pain
• Flank pain
• Vomiting
• Foul-smelling urine

UTI diagnosis

Diagnosing a UTI involves collecting a urine sample, which is sent to a laboratory for urinalysis or urine culture. UTI treatment Treatment usually includes a 7 to 10-day course of oral antibiotics. The specific antibiotic chosen depends on local resistance patterns and may be adjusted according to culture results. It's also important to increase hydration during treatment.

UTI prevention

• Ensuring regular and complete bladder emptying
• Treating constipation
• Encouraging adequate fluid intake
• Teach your child to wipe the genital area from front to back to reduce the spread of bacteria (girls)
• Avoiding bubble baths
• Considering circumcision in boys with recurrent UTIs
• Dress your child in loose-fitting clothing (girls)

When to consult a pediatrician

Reach out to your local or Summer Health pediatrician if your child shows signs of a urinary tract infection, especially if they have a fever, back or abdominal pain, painful urination, or a history of recurring urinary tract infections.