Urinary tract infection in children
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common type of infection that occurs in the urinary tract (see below). The symptoms of a UTI in a child include:
* high temperature (fever) of, or above, 38°C (100.4°F)
* pain, or a burning sensation, during urination (dysuria)
* a frequent need to urinate
The urinary tract
The urinary tract is made up of:
* the kidneys, which extract waste materials from the blood and convert it into urine
* the ureters: the tubes that run from the kidney to the bladder
* the bladder: a ‘balloon-shaped’ organ that is used to store urine
* the urethra: the tube that runs from the bladder through the penis (in males) or vulva (in females) through which urine passes
UTIs develop when part of the urinary tract becomes infected, usually by bacteria. Bacteria can enter the urinary system through the urethra or, more rarely, through the bloodstream.
In many cases, there is no apparent cause of your child’s urinary tract infection. However, there are several factors that increase the risk of a UTI developing. These include:
* constipation: which can place pressure on the bladder, making it more vulnerable to infection
* dysfunctional voiding: a relatively common childhood condition where a child ‘holds on’ to their urine even though they have an urge to urinate
See causes for more information about constipation and dysfunctional voiding.
Types of urinary tract infection
There are two types of UTI:
* A lower UTI is an infection of the lower part of the urinary tract, which includes the bladder and the urethra. An infection of the bladder is called cystitis, and an infection of the urethra is known as urethritis.
* An upper UTI is an infection of the upper part of the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys and the ureters. Upper UTIs are potentially more serious than lower UTIs because there is a risk of kidney damage. An infection of the kidneys is known as pyelonephritis.
How common are urinary tract infections in children?
UTIs in children are less common than they are in adults (particularly adult women).
Around 11% of girls and 4% of boys will have a UTI before they are 16 years of age. UTIs are more common in girls, except during the first six months of life when they are more common in boys.
Most of the UTIs that occur during childhood are lower UTIs. Only 3% of young girls, and 1% of young boys, develop an upper UTI.
Outlook
With treatment, the outlook for a child with a UTI is excellent. UTIs can easily be treated with antibiotics, and the risk of complications is low.
However, in UTI cases, prompt diagnosis and treatment is very important. If left untreated, UTIs (particularly upper UTIs) can cause a number of serious problems, including kidney damage or even kidney failure.
Older children with a UTI can usually be treated at home. As a precaution, very young children with a UTI (those who are less than three months of age) are treated in hospital.
