UTIs or urinary tract infections are quite common in children. They occur when germs or bacteria enter into the kidneys or bladder. A baby suffering from UTI may show symptoms of fever or vomiting or become fussy. Older children may develop symptoms of fever, pain while passing urine, frequent urination and lower abdominal pain. Children suffering from UTI should visit a physician as a UTI does not get cured on its own. However, treatment for urine infection in child is easy and it generally goes away in a week with proper treatment.

Symptoms of Urine Infection in Children

The only symptom present is unexplained fever in many children. Around 5% of kids who have unexplained fever are suffering from a UTI.

In some cases, other symptoms may be present including:

• Painful urination that is usually indicated by crying
• Urgent and frequent need to pass urine
• Difficulty in emptying urinary bladder
• Burning or pain when passing urine
• Nighttime or daytime accidents in a child who is otherwise toilet trained
• Bloody or cloudy appearance of urine
• Foul smelling urine
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Chills
• Persistent, unexplained irritability
• Pain in side, back or abdomen
• Aversion to eating

UTIs in young children and infants should be evaluated and treated promptly. Visit your physician within 24 hours in case your kid has the following:

• Vomiting
• Unexplained fever
• Burning pain while passing urine
• Passing foul smelling urine
• Passing cloudy, red, brown or pink colored urine
• Frequency of urination with inability to pass much quantity of urine
• Urinary symptoms accompanied by vaginal discharge
• Flank pain, which is present just beneath the ribs and above the waist either on one side or both sides of the back
• Symptoms that are similar to a previous episode of UTI

Call your physician if your child’s symptoms are not getting better 48 hours after beginning an antibiotic.

Treatment for Urine Infection in Child

Initial Treatment

Young children and infants with UTI require prompt treatment to prevent damage to kidneys. The initial treatment decision of your physician is likely based on the symptoms of your child and the result of urinalysis. Most children need home care and oral antibiotics for treatment of a UTI.

If your kid is less than 3 months, is having too much nausea or unable to consume oral medication, or has a suppressed immune system, then your physician may give your kid an antibiotic shot. Or your kid may require staying in the hospital for a brief period of time along with a short course of IV (intravenous) antibiotics. After the symptoms of your kid are better, he or she may be prescribed oral antibiotics.

The total number of days your child will require taking the drugs depends on the age of your child, nature of illness and the kind of antibiotic used.

Home Treatment for Urine Infection in Child

Beginning home treatment as the initial symptoms of a UTI appear in your kid may prevent the illness from getting aggravated and clear up the infection faster.

Encourage your kid to drink more fluids as soon as the initial symptoms of UTI appear. This will aid in reducing the concentration of urine and remove the bacteria from your kid’s system. Most of the physicians recommend drinking lots of fluids while having a UTI. Avoid giving your kid carbonated or caffeinated beverages, which may cause irritation of the bladder. Encourage your kid to pass urine often and to completely empty their bladder.

Note: Remember that you should not substitute home treatment for professional evaluation and care. In case your kid’s symptoms resemble a UTI, you should take him or her to a physician immediately.

Treatment for Urine Infection in Child If the Infection Recurs or Gets Worse

If your kid’s UTI is not improving after taking antibiotics, then they may require further evaluation and more antibiotics to treat the condition. Your kid may be suffering from a structural problem, which is preventing treatment of the infection. Or the infection may be caused by a different type of microorganism than the usual bacteria that cause UTIs.

Your kid may require hospitalization if the infection is spread to kidneys affecting their function or if there is development of sepsis (widespread infection). Though rare, these complications are very serious. Children who have suppressed immunity, untreated obstructions of the urinary tract and other disorders that may affect the bladder or kidneys are more prone to develop complications.

The risk of developing high blood pressure and kidney damage is increased due to recurrent UTIs. Your child may be prescribed a preventive antibiotic after the first UTI is treated if he or she suffers from a structural problem including vesicoureteral reflux, in which the risk of recurrent infections is increased or if your kid has recurrent episodes of UTIs in six to twelve month duration.

Children suffering from structural problem that is causing severe, repeated infections and increasing the risk of developing long-term complications may benefit from surgery. For example, children suffering from vesicoureteral reflux (severe) benefit greatly from surgery.

How to Prevent Urine Infection in Children

Some children may be prone to develop UTIs, but there are few things that you can do to reduce the risk of UTI:

• Make sure that your child drinks enough fluids (make them drink every 3 hours). Fluids help in preventing constipation, which increases the risk of UTI. Drinking more fluids also increases the urinary output of your child, thereby flushing out toxins from the urinary tract.
• When your child goes to toilet to pass urine, encourage them to empty their urinary bladder completely every time. Urine that remains in the urinary bladder for long duration can harbor bacteria, thereby increasing the risk of infection.
• Make your child eat lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. They also help in preventing constipation.
• If you have a girl child, avoid using bubble baths and harsh soaps as they may cause irritation of her genital area. While wiping, do it from front to back to minimize the entry of bacteria into the vagina from the anus. Teach your child the same technique of wiping.
• You can give your kid small quantities of cranberry juice. According to some studies, it may help in protecting against recurring UTIs. However, give only a small cup of juice daily and never replace antibiotics prescribed for an infection with cranberry juice. Moreover, they shouldn’t drink greater than 4-6 oz. of any kind of juice every day.