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Urinary tract infections in young children

Urinary tract infections in young children

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in children. About 8% of young girls and 2% of young boys get UTIs

UTI is an infection of the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. However, most UTIs involve only the bladder and the urethra, which constitute the lower urinary tract. Bacteria can build in the tract when waste isn’t removed or the bladder isn’t emptied. Every child is different, and UTI symptoms vary with the child’s age.

Common UTIs symptoms:

UTIs signs in babies:

Potential causes of UTIs:

Tips to prevent UTIs in children:

Treatment for UTIs in children
Every child’s UTI treatment is individualized and based on the underlying cause of the UTI. Children with a more severe infection may need treatment in a hospital so they can get antibiotics by injection or through an IV infusion. If a child has severe pain when peeing, the doctor may also prescribe medicine that numbs the lining of the urinary tract to reduce the pain. 

You should always keep track of Your Child‘s trips to the bathroom and ask the little one about symptoms.

Encourage Your Child to drink plenty of non-sugar-sweetened fluids, especially water. Most UTIs are cured within a week of treatment.

When should I call the doctor?
Call the doctor right away if your child has an unexplained fever (a temperature of over 38.3°C in children or 38°C in babies) with shaking chills, especially if your child complains about back pain or any type of pain when peeing. Call the doctor right away if your child feeds poorly, vomits repeatedly, or seems unusually irritable.

Many pediatricians also suggest parents write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests in every hospital visit. Also, write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child. The parents should know how to contact their pediatricians after office hours. This is important for situations where your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.

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