A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection that occurs in the urinary tract (any part of the body used to make and get rid of urine).
Symptoms of UTI in babies and infants include:
• vomiting
• high temperature of or above 38°C (100.4°F)
• irritability
• appearing lazy and sluggish (lethargic)
Symptoms of a UTI in older children include:
• frequent passing of urine
• complaining of pain or a burning sensation while passing urine.
What is the urinary tract?
The urinary tract is made up of:
Kidneys: Two bean-shaped organs that make urine out of waste materials from the blood.
Ureters: Tubes that run from the kidney to the bladder
Bladder: Where urine is stored until we go to the toilet
Urethra: The tube through which urine passes out of the body
Causes
UTIs develop when part of the urinary tract becomes infected, usually by bacteria.
In many cases of urinary tract infection in children, there is no apparent cause.
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 because there is a risk of kidney damage. An infection of the kidneys is known as pyelonephritis.
Who is affected
UTIs are a relatively common infection during childhood.
During the first year of life they are more common in boys then girls, but this changes as children grow older.
Outlook
Treatment for UTIs in children is usually very effective, with symptoms cleared up quickly.
It is important to always seek prompt treatment if you think your child has a UTI (or any other type of infection), as if left untreated complications can occur, such as:
• Scarring of the kidneys, which in later life can cause high blood pressure
• Kidney disease
Management is in the form of some investigations and appropriate administration of Antibiotics.
