An infection of the urinary tract is one that occurs when too much bacteria thrive inside the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra and reproduce. Some symptoms of a UTI, as indicated by the Kids Health website, include pain when urinating, fever, chills and pain in the lower back. Girls are more likely than boys to have a UTI and in some cases, the infection can be recurrent.
Vesico-ureteral Reflux
Vesico-ureteral reflux is not necessarily a cause of recurrent UTIs but the Kids Health website points out that it is often associated with frequent infections. VUR occurs in about 30 to 50 percent of kids who are also diagnosed with a UTI. VUR is present at birth. It is a condition where the urine flows backward from the bladder to the ureters. The ureters are responsible for carrying urine from the kidneys to the bladder. In some cases, the urine can reach the kidneys and cause infection.
Hydronephrosis
Hydronephrosis is a condition where one or both of the kidneys are enlarged from pooled urine. The Kids Health website explains that other conditions, including severe VUR, can cause this condition. When urine can't exit the body in a timely manner, the urinary tract is at risk of exposure to bacteria. Similar conditions that can make emptying the bladder completely difficult include brain or nervous system illnesses, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Dysfunctional Voiding
When a young girl does not urinate soon after getting the urge or does not relax her muscles to fully empty the bladder, it is called dysfunctional voiding. This can occur commonly in girls of potty-training age, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. She should be taught to eliminate urine as soon as she has the urge, which can be difficult for potty-training girls to manage without an accident.
Weakened Immune System
When the immune system is weakened, a child is at a greater risk of bacteria overgrowth. Antibiotics, illness or health conditions can weaken the immune system.
Hygiene
Girls who are in diapers, training pants or who wet the bed can be at greater risk of recurrent UTIs. Keeping anything urine-soaked against the tissues of the body can allow bacteria to enter the urinary tract and cause infection. The University of Maryland Medical Center lists bubble baths or tight fitting clothing in girls as a common cause of UTI. Girls who wipe from back to front can introduce bacteria from the anus to the opening of the urinary tract.
