Recognizing and Preventing Urinary Tract Infections
If you’ve ever had a urinary tract infection (UTI), then you know just how irritating, uncomfortable and painful it can be. UTIs are not unique to adults – babies and children can contract them as well. Each year, about 800 children are treated at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for UTIs. Often, UTIs go untreated because the symptoms are not always obvious to mom and dad.
What causes urinary tract infections?
UTIs occur when bacteria enter the body and inflame a child's bladder or urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder). The infection can be in either the bladder (cystitis) or the kidneys (pyelonephritis). Bacteria can get into the urinary tract from the skin around the rectum and genitals. Since girls have a shorter urethra than boys, they're more likely to get these types of infections. Uncircumcised boys also have a greater chance of contracting a UTI.
Symptoms of cystitis
Here are some of the more common symptoms of cystitis (bladder infection):
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Frequent bathroom use
- More frequent accidents
- Pain in the lower part of the abdomen
Symptoms of pyelonephritis
Pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidneys, caused when bacteria travels up the urethra, bladder and uterus. Infants and young children exhibit the following symptoms:
- High fever
- Decreased appetite
- Irritability
- Vomiting
Older children experience the following sympoms:
- High fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Back pain
If your child exhibits these symptoms, bring her to the pediatrician. UTIs are diagnosed by testing the urine to determine the presence and amount of bacteria in the urinary tract. Your pediatrician will offer the best course of treatment based on those findings.
Preventing UTI infections
To keep your child healthy and free from urinary tract infections, follow these steps:
Wipe properly. Teach your child how to properly clean herself after a bowel movement. It should always be from front to back, to help prevent bacteria from entering the urethra.
Bye-bye bubbles. Bubble baths are fun, but their colorful chemicals can irritate the urethra. It's also better for girls (once they're old enough) to take showers – rather than baths – because the contamination from the bath can easily enter girls' bladders, especially after they've had their hair shampooed.
Keep fluids flowing. Make sure your child drinks plenty of water and other fluids to help wash out lingering bacteria. Cranberry juice cocktail makes the common bacteria E. coli less likely to adhere to the walls of the urethra and bladder. Drinking blueberry juice may also be effective.
Learn more about UTIs and how they are diagnosed and treated at the Division of Urology at CHOP.
Reviewed by: Patrick S. Pasquariello Jr., MD
Date: October 2012
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