A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection anywhere along the urinary tract.  The urinary tract consists of the kidneys, the bladder, the ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), and the urethra (tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body).  Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria getting into the urinary tract.  The bacteria can cause an infection and inflammation at any point along the urinary tract so the infection may be in the uretra, the bladder or the kidneys.

Urinary tract infections are fairly common in children with about 8% of girls and 2% of boys suffering from one at some point during their childhood.  They are easily treated, however, if left untreated can cause permanent kidney damage so be sure to take your child to the doctor if you suspect a UTI.

Depending on the age of your child it can be a little difficult to identify a urinary tract infection.  Younger children who cannot communicate well will not be able to tell you what is going on.  Here are a few of the symptoms to look for that may indicate your child has a UTI:

• An unexplained fever (for some children this is the only symptom that parents are aware of).  If your child has an unexplained fever contact your child’s pediatrician.
• Painful urination.  (In babies and toddlers they may cry when they urinate, older children may be able to tell you that it hurts to go).
• Changes in urination pattern (ie goes more often, has accidents after being fully potty trained).
• An odd odor to the urine, and/or cloudy urine, and/or blood in the urine.
• Unexplained, persistent irritability.
• Loss of appetite.
• Vomiting.
• Pain in the abdomen, side or back.
• Fatigue.

If you suspect your child has a urinary tract infection you should call your child’s doctor right away.  Their doctor will want to examine the child and get a urine sample.   Obtaining a urine sample from younger children isn’t always an easy task.  The doctor or nurse will clean the child’s genitals and then attach a specimen collection bag to the child’s genitals in order to collect a sample of the urine.  Once the bag is attached you will just have to wait for your child to urinate.  I recently had to do this with my daughter.  It took about 30 minutes before she finally went.  Her pediatrician said they have some kids who take up to 3-4 hours (yikes).  For this reason some doctors opt to gather the sample using a catheter.

Once the urine is collected it will be analyzed for signs of infection.  The doctor will be looking for elevated protein in the urine, indications of blood in the urine, elevated nitrates, and elevated white blood cells.  These are all signs the body is fighting off infection.  If the doctor gets a positive result on the immediate urinalysis they will send the sample off for a culture test to confirm the existence of bacteria in the urine.

If your child does indeed have a urinary tract infection your doctor will prescribe a round of antibiotics.  Antibiotics are very effective in treating urinary tract infections.  Your doctor may also recommend a few additional tests, especially if your child is under the age of 3.  These tests will help determine the cause of the UTI.  In very young children UTIs can be a sign of a problem with the urinary tract.  The additional tests that may be recommended include:

• An ultrasound to get a clear picture of the kidneys and bladder and to determine if there are any apparent problems.
• A VCUG (voiding cystourethrogram) to determine if urine is backing up from the bladder into the kidneys.  Liquid dye is put into the urinary tract using a catheter while x-rays are taken to see what the dye does.  If a problem is found your doctor will discuss the results and the options with you.

Although urinary tract infections are fairly common in children there are things you can do to help your child avoid getting an UTI, including:

• Make sure your child gets plenty of fluids which will help your child urinate more frequently.
• Offer your child plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid using harsh soaps or bubble baths with little girls.
• Teach your child to use the potty frequently and not to hold it unless they have to.
• Teach your daughter to wipe from front to back.

If you think your child may have a urinary tract infection or you have more questions about them be sure to contact your child’s doctor.

Sources: (Dr. Spock, Baby Center, KidsHealth)