Urinary Tract Infections
All About Urinary Tract Infections in Kids & Infants
UTI stands for urinary tract infection, which is a common infection that affects the urinary system. The urinary system is responsible for draining and removing waste and excess water from the body. UTIs can affect any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. When the infection occurs in the kidneys or the ureters, it is called an upper UTI, while an infection in the urethra or bladder is called a lower UTI or cystitis. Although children are prone to UTIs, they are generally not serious health concerns. However, timely treatment with antibiotics is necessary for effective management of the infection.
Symptoms in Children/ Babies
A baby with a UTI can be fussy, spike a fever, or vomit.
Causes
UTIs are usually brought on by bacteria. In some cases, the causes can be fungi and viruses. It can happen when a kid wipes their bottom with filthy toilet paper, and it gets in contact with their genitalia. This is more of a concern for girls than for boys since girls' bottoms are much closer to the urethra. In infants, tiny particles of feces can enter their urethra when they soil their nappies. Poor toilet and hygiene practices and a family history of UTIs are also risk factors for UTIs.
A urinary tract abnormality (such as a malformed kidney or an obstruction along the normal urine flow tract) is also a significant cause of UTIs. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), which is the abnormal backflow of urine up the ureters (from the bladder towards the kidneys), is another cause of UTIs in children. Constipation can cause a section of the large intestine to swell, causing pressure on the bladder and preventing it from emptying properly, which can result in UTIs in infants or babies.
The last and most common bad habitual reason behind UTIs is dysfunctional elimination syndrome. It is a very common childhood condition in which a kid "holds on" to their pee despite having the urge to pee.
When Must You Visit A Doctor?
Early detection is key for fast and easy recovery from UTIs. Kidney damage can result from undiagnosed or untreated UTIs. In most cases, the physician will identify a UTI by questioning the child's symptoms, examining them, and scheduling a urinalysis. Upon receiving the test reports, treatment usually starts right away. Most Paediatric UTIs recover within 24 to 48 hours of antibiotic treatment and pose no long-term complications. In many situations, treatment involves at-home medication of antibiotic tablets.
In some cases, additional testing in the hospital may be necessary to look for abnormalities. The doctor may direct the parents to the hospital if the child is very young. For precautions, infants under three months old or kids with more severe symptoms are often hospitalized for a few days to receive intravenous antibiotics.
Pyelonephritis is a more severe infection that moves up the ureters to the kidneys. Along with the symptoms mentioned earlier, the child becomes sicker and suffers from fever (often with shivering chills) while having pain in the side or back with severe fatigue or vomiting. Visit the doctor right away if the child shows these signs.
Similarly, if your kid has a condition that increases the risk of UTIs, such as defective valves that cause urine to flow in the incorrect direction, please contact us to set up an appointment at 02 8069 2127 reduce the risk of complications.
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