The bladder is a small organ that stores liquid waste until it is excreted as urine. In healthy children, the bladder is a sterile environment that is completely free from bacteria. If bacteria abnormally enter the bladder, a child can develop bladder infection symptoms. Children who develop bladder infection symptoms require immediate treatment to prevent the spread of infection to the kidneys.
Urgent, Painful Urination
Urgent, painful urination is the most common symptom of a bladder infection in a child. These symptoms arise due to bladder irritation and inflammation caused by bacterial overgrowth. Toddlers or children may need to go to the bathroom more frequently than usual. A child may tell a parent or caregiver that it hurts to go to the bathroom. Children who have already been potty-trained may begin to wet their pants or the bed due to a bladder infection, warn health professionals at The Children's Hospital at Westmead in Australia. These bladder infection symptoms in a child typically persist and may become worse unless treatment is received.
Urine Discoloration
Bladder inflammation can cause the affected tissue to bleed, which can cause a child with a bladder infection to develop blood within the urine--a symptom called hematuria. While helping a child use the bathroom, a parent or caregiver may notice that the urine appears unusually dark, pink, orange or red. Children also can develop unusually cloudy urine that emits a strong, abnormal odor, reports the medical professionals at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. These bladder infection symptoms should be discussed with a child's pediatrician immediately.
Abdominal Pain
Older children may complain of abdominal or pelvic pain or discomfort due to the presence of a bladder infection. Depending upon the severity of the bladder infection, sensations of pain may radiate from the abdomen into the lower back. Young children or infants who have a bladder infection can experience nausea or may begin vomiting, explain health officials at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. If these symptoms persist for more than a day, a parent or caregiver of an affected child should contact a pediatrician.
Flu-like Symptoms
Flu-like symptoms can arise in a child with a bladder infection. These symptoms can include fever, decreased appetite or irritability, explains UMMC. Young children or infants who develop a bladder infection may only exhibit a fever or increased irritability as symptoms of this condition, warns The Children's Hospital at Westmead. A child who develops fever or additional flu-like symptoms should receive care from a medical professional.
References
- University of Tennessee Medical Center: Urinary Tract Infection - Children
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Urinary Tract Infections - Children's Health Guide
- The Children's Hospital at Westmead: Urinary Tract Infection in Children
- Conemaugh Health System: When Your Child Has A Urinary Tract Infection
