Treatment for UTI

During your office visit, we will discuss which management approaches are needed for your child depending on the symptoms, the urine culture results and your child's age. If your child has recurrent bladder infections (cystitis), we will focus on improving their toilet habits to prevent future UTIs. Healthy toilet habits include emptying the bladder on a routine schedule, increasing water intake and monitoring bowel movements for signs of constipation.

In addition, we may refer your child to our DOVE Center for:

• Uroflow — This measures the urine flow rate and the amount of time needed to empty the bladder, followed by an ultrasound (postvoid bladder scan) to check for leftover urine.
• Biofeedback training — This teaches your child to relax their pelvic floor muscles so they can empty their bladder completely.
• Behavior modification — This educates you and your child about the body and how it works. We will recommend strategies according to your child’s strengths for the best chance of success. Our psychologists may also discuss behavior management around toileting.

If your child has a kidney infection (pyelonephritis) we may request other imaging studies such as:

• Renal and bladder ultrasound — A noninvasive test in which a transducer is passed over the kidney producing sound waves which bounce off the kidney and bladder, transmitting a picture on a video screen. The test is used to determine the size and shape of the kidney, and to detect a mass, kidney stone, cyst or other obstruction or abnormalities.
• Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) — A specific X-ray that examines the urinary tract. A catheter (hollow tube) is placed in the urethra (tube that drains urine from the bladder to the outside of the body) and the bladder is filled with a liquid dye. X-ray images are taken as the bladder fills and empties. The images will show if there is any reverse flow of urine into the ureters and kidneys.

Results from these tests will inform our team of the best treatment option for your child.