What Causes UTI in Babies & Kids?

What is UTI in Babies and Kids?

Bacterial infection (in most cases) that affects your child's urinary tract - urethra, ureters, bladder and kidney's. As a result your child could experience fever, abdominal pain, frequent urge to urinate with burning sensation and irritability among a plethora of other symptoms. Bacteria could enter the urinary tract from the rectum (wiping back to front), skin around genitals or through unhygienic toilets.

Types of UTI's in Babies and Kids

Based on where in the urinary tract the infection occurs, the UTI's are of two types:

1. Cystitis or Lower UTI: Most UTI's fall in this category, where the infection happens in the lower part of the urinary tract involving urethra and the bladder.

2. Pyelonephritis or Upper UTI: Infection travels up to one or both the kidney's and is usually more serious of the two where the child could have high fever with chills, pain on sides and/or back of the body, vomiting and extreme fatigue.

Causes of UTI in Babies and Kids

Most if not all cases of UTI are usually caused by bacteria but occasionally it could also be caused by Fungi or Virus (extremely rare). Girls are more prone to UTI's than boys due to their short urethra which is closer to rectum. Poor hygienic practices (wiping back to front), prolonged antibiotics use, family history of UTIs, weak immune system and congenital urinary tract issues increase the risk of getting UTIs.

Microorganisms known to cause UTIs are:

• Bacteria:

  • E.coli Bacteria (causes more than 80% of UTI's in kids)

  • Klebsiella

  • Enterococcus

  • Staphylococcus

  • Proteus

• Fungi (rare):

  • Candida Species - C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, etc.

  • Aspergillus Species, etc.

• Virus (extremely rare):

  • Adenovirus, Human Polyomavirus, Cytomegalovirus & Herpes Simplex Virus

Symptoms of UTI's in Babies and Kids

• Frequent urge to urinate with very little pee

• Burning sensation during peeing

• Abdominal pain

• Fever

• Pain in the back and or sides

• Foul smelling or cloudy pee

• Blood in pee

• Nausea or Vomiting

• Poor feeding

• Fatigue

• Irritability

• Bed wetting in older kids who are potty trained

Diagnosis of UTIs in Babies and Kids

The healthcare provider will do a thorough physical exam, ask you questions about your child's symptoms, duration of the symptoms, child's history with UTI, family history of UTIs, and may ask for urine and blood tests to confirm the bacterial infection and course of treatment.

Diagnosis is often delayed in younger children who cannot tell you about the pain, burning sensation or other symptoms which are not very evident otherwise. Be sure to keep an eye out for any discomfort, fever or crying while your child pees so you can take them to the doctor in time.

Treatment of UTIs in Babies and Kids

UTI is treated using antibiotics based on the severity, type and location, the healthcare provider may choose to use a specific antibiotic like Amoxicillin, Cefprozil, Cefixime, etc. for specific number of days. He may also prescribe medication to help with pain and burning sensation while peeing. Be sure to give your child the antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor for the prescribed number of days along with lots of fluids to help flush the bacteria out. Your child may start to feel better in a day or two after the start of treatment. The healthcare provider may repeat the urine test to ensure the urinary tract is completely free of bacteria and has not spread elsewhere.

In severe cases where the infection has spread to the kidneys the doctor may give intravenous antibiotics and may hospitalize the child to manage symptoms like high fever, vomiting, dehydration, extreme fatigue and diarrhoea.

Long Term Prognosis of UTIs in Babies and Kids

UTI's are in general not serious infections and can be easily managed with timely antibiotics treatment and lots of fluids. In rare cases there may be complications that need intravenous antibiotics and or hospitalization. Kids with family history of UTI, weak immune system and certain health issues have a higher chance of recurring infection so practicing good personal hygiene is paramount.