Symptoms of urinary tract infection in children

The article is professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Le Thanh Cam - Pediatrician - Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital

Urinary tract infection is one of the common infections in young children, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Because the symptoms of the disease are not clear and the children are not self-aware, it is difficult for parents to recognize the disease to treat the baby. So UTIs in children can lead to serious health problems.

The urinary system (urinary tract) is the organ that produces and stores urine, consisting of 2 kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.
Normally urine does not contain bacteria. However, bacteria can enter the urinary tract from two routes: from the skin around the rectum and genitals, and the bloodstream from other parts of the body. Bacteria can cause infections in any part of the urinary tract, such as the urethra, kidneys, or bladder.
Urinary tract infections are more common in girls because girls' urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body) is shorter and closer to the anus than boys' anus, making it easier for bacteria to enter more urethra. In addition, uncircumcised boys are also more prone to urinary tract infections.

The cause of the disease can be a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. In which, the common types include the following:
Bacteria: This is the most common agent in UTIs, including bacteria belonging to the natural flora in the gut such as E.Coli, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococci.
Viruses: Viruses that cause UTIs include: adenovirus, enteroviruses, coxsackieviruses, echoviruses.
Fungi: This is a rare agent, which can include species such as: Candida spp, Aspergillus spp, cryptococcococcus neoformans, endemic mycoses,....

Signs and symptoms of UTIs in children vary by age group. For older children (over 3 years old), these symptoms are relatively easy to detect because the child is already able to perceive and report pain to parents. Common symptoms include:
Fever; Urinating more often than usual; Leaky urine in pants; Children complain of pain and burning when urinating; Pain in the lower abdomen or back; Feeling tired, loss of appetite; Bedwetting at night. However, the younger the child, the fewer urinary symptoms. For children under 3 years of age, the signs of UTI are not specific and difficult to recognize. Moreover, babies are too small to complain or raise discomfort related to urination and it is also difficult for parents to monitor the child's frequent urination (because children often wear diapers). and usually, the child's urination time is already a lot). So the most common indirect symptoms are fever, accompanied by lethargy, anorexia, vomiting and possibly abdominal pain.
Parents need to recognize early symptoms and promptly treat UTIs in children, prevent the infection from spreading beyond the urinary tract (can spread into the bloodstream causing bacteremia) and reduce damage in the kidney.

Urinary tract infections are mainly treated with antibiotics. However, what type of antibiotic, how much and how to use it depends on the severity and type of infection in each child.
Antibiotics are usually taken orally, which can be in liquid or tablet form. But if your child has a fever with vomiting and is unable to swallow any liquids, antibiotics should be given directly into a vein or into a muscle. Parents need to make sure that the child takes the right dose of medicine and the doctor's instructions, do not arbitrarily cut the medicine when the child's condition has improved.
Besides, parents can also apply some ways to support the treatment of UTIs at home for children such as:
Give children plenty of filtered water or fruit juice: This helps children eliminate bacteria every day. toilet visits. Children should drink orange and lemon juice to strengthen their resistance; Moreover, orange and lemon juice help create acidity in the urine, which is an unfavorable condition for bacteria to grow. For babies under 6 months old, you can give them extra breast milk instead of water.
Keep the intimate area clean: Parents should change diapers and diapers for their children regularly, ensuring that their children do not have to wear dirty diapers or dirty pants for many hours. Besides, the hygiene of the genitals for children is extremely important. Parents can use a towel soaked in warm water to wipe the baby's private area, then use a clean dry towel to wipe it again. Dress your child in dry, airy pants to avoid smothering moisture.
Warm compress: If you feel that the child is uncomfortable due to an infection, parents should use a soft, clean cloth soaked in warm water, then wrap it around the child's lower abdomen and leave it for 10 minutes. , repeat this a few times. This will help relieve pain and itching.
Parents who suspect their child has a UTI can take their child to Vinmec International General Hospital for examination and treatment. There is a team of urological surgeons who are well-trained, experienced and professional; system of modern equipment, meeting international standards; Professional service quality, high efficiency in diagnosis and treatment.