Urinary tract infection (UTI) in children

Urinary tract infection (UTI) in children

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common infections. They can affect the urinary tract, including the:

• bladder
• urethra (the tube where urine leaves the body)
• kidneys

UTIs aren’t usually serious and can be treated with antibiotics if needed.

Speak to your GP if your child has symptoms of a UTI like:

• vomiting
• tiredness and lack of energy (lethargy)
• irritability
• not eating properly
• not gaining weight
• yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) in very young children
• pain or a burning sensation when peeing
• needing to pee frequently
• deliberately holding in their pee
• a change in their normal toilet habits, like wetting themselves or wetting the bed
• unpleasant-smelling pee
• cloudy pee

Phone 111 or speak to a GP urgently if:

You think a child has a urinary tract infection (UTI) and they:

• are under 3
• have a very high temperature, or feel hot and shivery
• have a very low temperature below 36C
• are confused or drowsy
• have pain in the lower tummy or in the back, just under the ribs
• have blood in their pee

Types of UTI

A UTI may be either:

• upper
• lower

An upper UTI means an infection of the kidneys or ureters. Ureters are the tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder.

A lower UTI means an infection of the bladder (cystitis) or urethra. This is the tube that carries urine out of the body.

Causes of UTIs in children

UTIs occur when the urinary tract becomes infected, usually by bacteria.

Bacteria from the gut can enter the urinary tract through the tube that carries pee out of the body (urethra). This may happen when a child:

• wipes their bottom
• soils their nappy

Some children may be more likely to get UTIs due to problems emptying their bladder. This can be due to:

• constipation
• dysfunctional elimination syndrome – a child ‘holds on’ to their pee, even though they have the urge to pee
• vesicoureteral reflux – urine leaks back up from the bladder into the ureters and kidney

Treating UTIs in children

UTIs in children will often improve within 24 to 48 hours of treatment. A UTI won’t usually cause any long term problems.

Antibiotics

UTIs can usually be treated at home with antibiotics as long as the child is:

• over 3 months
• not at risk of serious illness

The most suitable antibiotic depends on what type of UTI the child has.

Sometimes children can experience side effects whilst taking antibiotics. This can include feeling sick or having an upset stomach. These symptoms are usually mild and should stop once the antibiotics have finished.

It’s very important to finish the prescribed course of antibiotics. This’ll prevent the infection from coming back.

Other treatments

If necessary, children can also take liquid paracetamol to help ease the symptoms of a UTI.

As a precaution, some children with a UTI may have to be treated in hospital. Your GP may advise you if this is necessary.

Don’t use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen to treat a UTI. These can harm the kidneys.

Aspirin should never be given to children under the age of 16.

Preventing UTIs in children

It isn’t possible to prevent all childhood UTIs. But, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of your child getting one.

Do

• encourage girls to wipe their bottom from front to back
• make sure children are well hydrated and go to the toilet regularly
• avoid nylon and other synthetic underwear – pick loose, cotton underwear
• avoid scented soaps or bubble baths – these can increase the risk of developing a UTI

Recurrent UTIs in children

A small number of children have recurring UTIs. If your child has had a UTI before, it’s important to watch out for any symptoms.

If any symptoms do come back, tell your GP as soon as possible.