Each year, approximately 3 percent of children develop bladder infections, report health officials at the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. A bladder infection occurs when bacteria abnormally enter the bladder--an organ within the body that holds urine. The symptoms of a bladder infection in children are similar to those experienced by adults, but can be difficult to detect because children may be unable to accurately explain their symptoms. Children who develop bladder infection symptoms should be evaluated by a pediatrician to ensure receipt of appropriate treatment.
Fever
Children who develop a bladder infection can experience a low-grade fever as a symptom of this condition. When abnormal bacteria enter the body, the immune system responds by increasing the body's temperature. This increased body temperature, or fever, helps prevent the growth and spread of the bacteria through the body. A fever may also contribute to additional symptoms in certain children, such as sweating, chills or headache. In some cases, a low-grade fever may be the only symptom a child develops in response to a bladder infection, explains KidsHealth.org, a children's health information website supported by the Nemours Foundation. A child who develops a fever for any reason should be seen by a pediatrician for further evaluation and care.
Stomach Upset
A child can experience stomach upset symptoms as a result of this infection. An affected child can begin to complain that his stomach hurts due to sensations of nausea. A bladder infection may cause certain children to begin vomiting. These stomach-related symptoms of a bladder infection can contribute to a decreased appetite in affected children.
Frequent Urination or Bed-wetting
A parent or caregiver may notice that their child needs to go to the bathroom more frequently than usual due to a bladder infection. Bacteria irritate and inflame the bladder, which stimulates an urge to urinate in affected children. Children that have already been potty-trained may develop wetting problems, such as wetting the bed at night, as a result of this infection.
Unusual Urine Odor or Discoloration
A bladder infection can lead to changes in the appearance or smell of a child's urine. While helping a child use the bathroom, a parent or caregiver may notice that their child's urine appears cloudy or emits an unusually strong odor. Blood within the urine can be a sign of a severe bladder infection that has spread to the kidneys and requires immediate medical attention.
Back or Abdominal Pain
Bladder inflammation caused by the abnormal presence of bacteria within the bladder can cause sensations of pain within the abdomen, explains FamilyDoctor.org, a medical website established by the American Academy of Family Physicians. As a result, a child with this infection may complain that her stomach hurts or that she doesn't feel well. A child that complains of lower back pain may have a severe bladder infection that extends into the kidneys. Children who develop these symptoms should receive medical care as soon as possible.
Irritability
A young child with a bladder infection may become unusually irritable or fussy as a symptom of this condition. When a child doesn't feel well, she may begin to cry due to sensations of discomfort that she can't verbalize to a pediatrician, parent or caregiver. A child who is inconsolable for any reason should be taken to a pediatrician for further evaluation and care.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Urinary Tract Infections in Children
- KidsHealth.org: Urinary Tract Infections - Signs and Symptoms
- FamilyDoctor.org: Urinary Tract Infections in Children
- University of Maryland: Children's Health Guide - Urinary Tract Infections
- University of California San Francisco Medical Center: Urinary Tract Infection Signs and Symptoms
