Urinary tract infections in children

Introduction
Your child has been admitted to hospital because it has symptoms of a urinary tract infection or has been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection. This leaflet gives information about urinary tract infections and how they are treated.  

What is a urinary tract infection?
A urinary tract infection is an infection of the urinary tract, sometimes accompanied by cystitis (infection of the bladder). These infections can be classified as upper and lower urinary tract infections. The urinary tract is made up of the ureters, the bladder and the urethra.
A lower urinary tract infection implies an infection of the bladder or the urethra, while an upper urinary tract infection is an infection of the pyelum (pelvis of the kidney) or the kidney itself. This is known as pyelitis (pyelonenephritis).
One of the main underlying factors in a urinary tract infection is that some of the urine remains in the urinary system after urination. This stagnant urine is a breeding ground for bacteria. Another possible cause is a blockage of the urinary tract, which causes the urine to flow back into the ureters.  

What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of a urinary tract infection in children can vary. Older children often have the same symptoms as adults: frequent urination, urinating small amounts, pain or a burning sensation when urinating and abdominal pain. Some children may have a high temperature, feel listless or may not want to eat. The symptoms in babies are usually less specific. Your baby may have a high temperature, be generally unwell, not want to drink, cry a lot or be very quiet. 

Treatment
A urinary tract infection is treated with antibiotics. This is often administered directly into the blood via a drip. It is possible that a second, different antibiotic will be prescribed after a few days, depending on the results of the urine test. A painkiller can be given to relieve any pain if the doctor agrees. Most children will be in hospital for four to seven days.  

Nursing
The nurse will take your child’s temperature several times a day. He/she will also record its blood pressure and pulse rate. Your child will be weighed every day and the nurse will make a note of everything your child eats and drinks, and how much and how often it urinates and defecates. If your child still wears nappies, the nappies will be weighed. If it is potty-trained, it will have to use the potty.

Going home
Once your child is ready to go home, you will be given an appointment in the Outpatients’ Department for a check-up. The nurse will give you a urine sample pot or a bag for a nappy if your child is not potty-trained. You must collect some urine for testing so that the doctor can check that the urinary tract infection has cleared up properly.
Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed to prevent a repeat infection. In some cases, further tests will be carried out while the child is admitted or of further tests will be done in the Outpatients’ Department.  

Questions
If you have any further questions after reading this leaflet, please ask the doctor or nurse in charge of your child’s case.

Edition: June 2010/232