Patient education: Urinary tract infections in children (The Basics)

What is the urinary tract? — 

This is the system of organs that makes, stores, and carries urine out of the body (figure 1). The organs in the urinary tract are the:

●Kidneys – These make urine.

●Ureters – These are thin tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.

●Bladder – This stores urine.

●Urethra – This is the tube that carries urine out of the body.

What causes a urinary tract infection? — 

A urinary tract infection ("UTI") is usually caused by bacteria. Normally, bacteria are not in the urinary tract. But if they travel up the urethra and get into the bladder or kidneys, they can cause a UTI.

Children might have a higher chance of getting a UTI if:

●Their urinary system didn't form normally before birth.

●Their bladder doesn't work normally.

●They are male and are not circumcised. (Circumcision is surgery to remove the skin that covers the tip of the penis.)

What are the symptoms of a UTI? — 

Symptoms depend on the child's age and ability to talk.

Children younger than 2 years old, and children who cannot talk, can have 1 or more of the following:

●Fever – This might be their only symptom.

●Acting fussy

Children 2 years and older who are able to talk about their symptoms can have:

●Pain or a burning feeling when urinating

●Needing to urinate more often than usual

●New problems with bedwetting or daytime wetting (in children who are toilet trained)

●Pain in the lower belly or on the sides of the back (figure 2)

●Fever

Is there a test for a UTI? — 

Yes. The doctor or nurse will do tests on your child's urine. To give a urine sample, your child will need to urinate into a container at the doctor's office.

If your child is not toilet trained, the doctor or nurse can get a sample of urine from your child's bladder. One way to do this is for the doctor or nurse to put a thin tube in your child's urethra and up into their bladder to drain a sample of urine. Then, they will remove the tube and test the urine.

How are UTIs treated? — 

They are treated with antibiotics. These medicines kill the bacteria causing the infection.

Your child's symptoms should start improving within 1 to 2 days after starting the antibiotics. It is very important that your child finishes all the medicine, even if they start to feel better.

When should I call the doctor or nurse? — 

Call if your child's symptoms don't get better or get worse, or if your child cannot take all the antibiotics.

You should also call if your child gets symptoms of another UTI in the future.

What if my child gets UTIs a lot? — 

Your child's doctor might recommend your child take an antibiotic every day. This can help prevent them from getting more UTIs.

More on this topic

Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Urine culture (The Basics)
Patient education: Urinalysis (The Basics)
Patient education: Lowering the risk of a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (The Basics)
Patient education: Flank pain (The Basics)

Patient education: Urinary tract infections in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in children (Beyond the Basics)