Bladder Infection (UTI) in Children

Bladder Infection (UTI) in Children

If it is not diagnosed and treated early, it can lead to kidney complications.

When a child has a fever, pain or burning when going to the bathroom, or more need to urinate, it can be due to a urinary infection, one of the most common diseases in children, especially girls. In fact, according to the best urologist in Noida, Ghaziabad, 3% of them and 1% of children will present this symptom at least once before age eleven.

Pediatrician in Noida explains that "in pediatric patients, there are factors that can predispose them, such as malformations of the urinary tract, neurological alterations that prevent a good bladder emptying, retentionist patients who do not urinate frequently and poor hygiene technique."

Also, it occurs more in women, because they have the shorter urethra and its opening is closer to the anus and the vagina, places that are permanently colonized by bacteria.

Although urine does not have bacteria, these germs can reach it in two ways: from the skin around the genitals and rectum, or blood. The infection can affect the bladder, urethra or kidneys.

In children, the main symptoms are:

- Fever

- Vomiting and lack of appetite

- Pain or burning when urinating

- Presence of blood in the urine

- Urine with a bad smell or darker

- Pain in the pelvis or lower back

- Need to go to the bathroom or to do it urgently

The importance of treating it in time

Urinary infections are diagnosed with a urine culture, an examination that reveals the presence of bacteria. In some cases, to rule out that the infection has advanced to the kidneys, you can perform studies with images such as renal scintigraphy or renal ultrasound with Doppler.

It is very important to obtain a diagnosis and early treatment to prevent long-term sequelae. We must be alert to symptoms in infants, as they are nonspecific and they cannot warn if they have any discomfort when urinating, says urologist in Ghaziabad.

Usually, the treatment consists in the administration of antibiotics, either by venous route or in pills.

Urologist in Noida gives some tips to avoid urinary tract infections:

- Have a good hygiene, teaching the little girls that the genital toilet goes from front to back

- Achieving a good voiding habit, that is, that the children should empty the bladder frequently (every 3 or 4 hours), as this eliminates, through urine, microorganisms that may have ascended to the bladder

- Avoid prolonged baths in stagnant water or with soaps or substances that can irritate the genital area

- Change clothes wet immediately

- Avoid moisture in the area

- Wear cotton underwear