Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection anywhere in the urinary tract. A urinary tract infection usually develops in the:

• bladder
• kidneys
• urethra (tube that lets urine leave the body)

UTIs are common in children and can happen at any age. UTIs are more common in:

• boys than girls, for children under 12 months of age
• girls than boys, for children over 12 months of age
• uncircumcised boys than in circumcised boys

UTIs can sometimes be hard to diagnose in young children, as they can't tell you how they feel.

In children, symptoms of a UTI include:

• pain or burning when urinating (weeing)
• pain in the lower abdomen (tummy)
• needing to urinate often, or asking to use the toilet often
• incontinence (passing urine before getting to the toilet)
• smelly or discoloured urine
• feeling unwell

Some children with a UTI may not show any of these symptoms.

Young children and babies may have symptoms such as:

• a fever (a temperature of 38°C or higher)
• being unsettled or irritable
• vomiting
• eating less than normal

A UTI is usually caused by bacteria getting into your child's urinary tract through their urethra. The bacteria often come from their bowels (gut), or from faeces (poo). Sometimes a virus can cause a UTI.

Some things can increase your child's chance of having a UTI, such as:

• constipation
• being uncircumcised
• not fully emptying their bladder

Sometimes, UTIs are caused by a condition called urinary reflux. This happens when there is a problem with the valve in your child's bladder, and urine flows from the bladder back up towards the kidneys. This means urine stays in your child's body, which increases the chance of infection.

You should take your child to a doctor if they develop any symptoms of a UTI.

You should also take your child to a doctor if they seem generally unwell, even if they don't have any other symptoms.

It's important to diagnose and treat a UTI quickly, to prevent the infection from getting worse.

When to seek urgent care

Get urgent care if your child has symptoms of a severe UTI, such as:

• a fever (temperature of 38°C or higher)
• feeling very tired
• back pain

Your doctor can diagnose a UTI. They will ask about your child's symptoms and may ask you to collect a urine sample. Your child's doctor or nurse will tell you how to do this.

A special paper strip is dipped in the urine sample to test for an infection. The doctor will then send the urine sample to a laboratory to be checked under a microscope.

A urine sample helps your doctor know what type of bacteria is causing the infection, and which antibiotic will be most effective to treat your child's UTI. It may take up to 48 hours to get a result.

Sometimes your child will need an ultrasound to check for any problems with their bladder or kidneys.

UTIs are treated with antibiotics, which usually come in a liquid form that your child can drink.

If your child is less than 3 months of age or has a severe UTI, your doctor may recommend you take them to hospital. In hospital they will be given antibiotics through an intravenous drip (known as an IV).

Self-care at home

You can help your child recover from a UTI by:

• keeping your child at home from childcare or school, so they can get extra rest
• offering your child plenty of fluids to drink

Give the antibiotics as your doctor recommends. It's very important for your child to finish the whole course of antibiotics, even if they seem to feel better.

Medicines for UTIs in children

If you are worried about your child's pain, ask your doctor about pain relief medicines. It's important you check the type of medicine and the dose before you give it to your child.

If your child has been taking antibiotics and they are not getting better, take them back to the doctor for review.

Can cranberry juice help treat my child's UTI?

There is no proof that cranberry juice is helpful in preventing or treating UTIs in children.

Most UTIs will get better without complications. If it's left untreated, possible complications of UTIs in children can include:

• kidney infection
• sepsis (infection of the blood)
• infections that don't respond to antibiotics
• difficulty urinating
• pyelonephritis (kidney infection)

There are several things you can do to help prevent your child from developing a UTI:

• Good personal hygiene can help prevent the spread of bacteria to the urinary tract. It's important to always wipe in a front to back direction for girls (from the urethral opening to anus).
• Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids.
• Encourage your child to go to the toilet regularly and fully empty their bladder.
• Help your child avoid constipation by encouraging them to drink plenty of fluids and eat high-fibre foods.

Read more about urinary tract infection in children on the Sydney Children's Hospital Network webpage.

For more information on UTIs, visit the Kidney Health Australia website.