Does it burn when your child urinates? This is one of many
signs of a urinary tract infection.According to the National Institutes of Health, urinary tract
infections are responsible for more than one million yearly
pediatrician visits every year in the United States. A urinary
tract infection, or UTI, occurs when bacteria infect the
kidneys, bladder, urethra, or other parts of the urinary tract.
Bacteria that can cause a UTI can live in the digestive tract,
vagina, or around the urethra, and normally won’t cause a
problem there. But if these bacteria enter the urethra, they
can travel to the bladder, kidneys, and other parts of the
urinary tract. A bladder infection is a type of UTI that affects
the bladder, but has not spread upward toward the kidneys.
The bacteria that lead to UTIs may be eliminated from the
urinary tract before causing an infection, but they can cause
a UTI in people who are prone to them. Girls, for example,
seem to be more likely to get a urinary tract infection than
boys.
Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms
"The most common symptoms of a UTI are a burning
sensation when the child urinates, lower abdominal pain
where the bladder is, frequency of urination — feeling like
you really have to go to the bathroom all the time but only a
little comes out — and urgency — feeling like you have to
urinate right now ," says Barbara Frankowski, MD, MPH,
professor of pediatrics at the University of Vermont College
of Medicine and a pediatrician at Vermont Children's
Hospital in Burlington, Vt.
Dr. Frankowski notes that when the UTI is more serious, the
child may also develop a fever. But most UTIs, including
bladder infections, are not usually associated with fever .
Other signs of a UTI may include:
Foul-smelling urine
Urine that appears milky, cloudy, or reddish
Fatigue
Chills and or fever
UTI symptoms may be harder to recognize in kids than in
adults. Sometimes children do not show classic symptoms
of a UTI, or they may not be able to explain them to their
parents . If your child has the following signs of a possible
UTI, you should immediately contact your health care
provider:
Irritable mood
Irregular eating and appetite
Unexplained and persistent fever
Incontinence (wetting pants or bed if already
toilet-trained)
Diarrhea
Persistent low energy level or just not feeling
well
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment
Tests used to diagnose a UTI usually include a physical
exam and a urine sample. It is important to test urine for
the presence of bacteria, since true UTIs are uncommon in
children, and rawness of the genitals, especially in girls, can
cause UTI-like symptoms such as burning during urination.
When a UTI is diagnosed, your child's doctor will prescribe
antibiotics to kill the bacteria that are causing the infection.
It is important that your child takes the antibiotics as
directed, and takes the complete course — all the medicine,
even if the symptoms get better. The pediatrician may also
order more tests after your child completes treatment.
These tests may be done to be sure there is no abnormality
of your child’s urinary tract, such as a tiny blockage, which
might cause repeated infections.
Urinary Tract Infection Prevention
If your child is prone to getting UTIs, these following tips
can help prevent them:
Push fluids. Make sure your child drinks plenty
of water every day. Cranberry juice can also
lower the risk of UTI.
Encourage frequent bathroom breaks. Teach
your child to urinate when he or she feels the
urge.
Teach your daughter to wipe well from the front
to the back after going to the bathroom.
Choose cotton underwear and avoid dressing
your child in tight-fitting clothes.
These prevention tips are easy to follow and easy on your
wallet. Gentle, steady reminders to your child will help
reinforce these tips, without making the child feel anxious.