Children often get urinary tract infections (UTIs), although they normally don't get anything serious. Antibiotics can be used to treat them successfully.
What Is UTI?
An infection of the urinary tract is an inflammation of the system that removes urine from the body. It is brought on by bacteria. The two kidneys are a part of the urinary system. Urine is used to remove liquid waste from the blood. Urine is transported from the kidneys to the bladder by little tubes called ureters. The bladder holds the urine. Urine that has been released from the bladder exits the body through a tube known as the urethra. The entire system is susceptible to bacterial infection.
What Are the Symptoms of UTI?
The linings of your bladder, urethra, ureters, and kidneys typically turn red and swollen when you have a UTI. Children who are older may complain of back or low-back pain as well as frequent urination. Your youngster can cry or claim that it aches to urinate and only pass a few drops of urine. Additionally, he or she might have issues with bladder control, which could lead to accidents or bedwetting.
Here are a few symptoms of UTI in kids:
- When urinating, there is discomfort, burning, or stinging
- Irritability
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Frequent urination or an intense urge to urinate even though no urine is produced
- Urine with a foul odour that may appear cloudy or contain blood
- Fever
- Discomfort in the low back or the bladder
You should take your child to the doctor if they have a high temperature and seem ill for no apparent reason (such as a runny nose or earache). If the kidney infection that caused it is not immediately treated, the germs may travel to the bloodstream and result in a potentially fatal illness or permanent kidney damage.
What Causes UTI in Children?
Water, salts, and waste materials can all be found in normal pee. It is free of pathogens like fungi, viruses, and bacteria. When bacteria enter the urethra and move up to the kidneys, bladder, and ureters, they start to proliferate and cause an infection. Bacteria from the digestive tract are the primary cause of most illnesses. Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria are the most prevalent. Normally, the colon is where they reside.
How Is UTI in A Child Diagnosed?
The doctor will enquire about your child's symptoms and medical background. They will examine your youngster physically. Your child might also take exams like these:
Urine testing: Urinalysis is another name for this. A lab examines your child's urine to look for bacteria, protein, red and white blood cells, bacteria, and indicators of infection. The urine will also be sent for sensitivity testing and culture. This is done to identify the kind of bacteria that is causing the infection and to determine the most effective medication to treat it.
kidney and liver ultrasound: This imaging procedure is painless. Images of the organs, tissues, and blood vessels are created using a computer and sound waves. It can evaluate blood flow through vessels and display internal organs in action. This test may be required for a female under the age of 5 or a boy with a UTI.
Cystourethrogram voiding (VCUG): This kind of X-ray shows the urinary system. The tube that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body is fitted with a small, flexible tube called a catheter (the urethra). A liquid dye is contained in the bladder. As the bladder fills and empties, X-ray images are captured. If there is any urine flow backward into the kidneys and ureters, the images will reveal it.
Also Read – 24-Hour Urine Collection Test Purpose, Procedure, Results
How Is A Child's UTI Treated?
Your child's symptoms, age, and overall health will all affect the course of treatment. Furthermore, it will depend on how serious the condition is. Treatment options include:
Antibiotic drugs
Using a heated pad or painkillers
Consuming a lot of water
A few days after the start of the treatment, the healthcare provider for your child might want to see them again to assess how the treatment is going.
Consult with your child's medical professionals about the drawbacks, advantages, and potential side effects of each treatment.
When Should I Call a Physician?
If your child has a fever and shivering chills, call the doctor straight away, especially if there is back pain or any other kind of pain when urinating. If your baby is vomiting frequently, feeding poorly, or has a fever, call the doctor right away.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
