The urinary tract consists of the bladder, kidneys, urethra, which is the tube that urine passes through from the bladder out of the body, and ureters, which are the narrow tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. Normally, no bacteria lives in the urinary tract. If any part of the urinary tract becomes contaminated by bacteria, usually from the digestive system or skin, a urinary tract infection results. Although girls are more commonly infected than boys, there are several factors that can cause urinary tract infections in boys.
Vesicoureteral Reflux
Vesicoureteral reflux is a condition in which the valve that prevents urine from flowing backwards out of the bladder is defective. As a result, urine flows from the bladder to the kidneys, instead of the usual direction of the kidneys to the bladder. This abnormal flow of urine increases the risk of urinary tract infections. Roughly 30 to 50 percent of children with urinary tract infection have vesicoureteral reflux, according to KidsHealth.org.
Urinary Tract Abnormalities
Some boys are born with abnormal urinary tracts, which increases the risk of urinary tract infections. One common abnormality is a urethra or ureter that is too narrow, which prevents urine from passing normally through the urinary tract and increases the risk of bacterial growth. Alternatively, if the ureter grows into the bladder or the kidney at an unusual place, this can also disrupt the flow of urine and increase the chances of a urinary tract infection, explains the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
Brain or Nervous System Disorders
Certain disorders of the nervous system or brain can increase the risk of urinary tract infections in boys, reports Medline Plus. Spinal cord injuries, myelomeningocele, which is a birth defect that prevents the spinal column from closing around the spinal cord, and hyrocephalus, which is swelling of the brain, are all conditions that can prevent a boy from completely emptying his bladder during urination. The prolonged presence of urine in the bladder increases the likelihood that bacteria will multiply and cause an infection.
Dysfunctional Voiding
Dyfunctional voiding is a condition that develops when a boy develops the habit of delaying urination for long periods of time, increasing the risk of bacterial growth and infection. In addition, prolonged clenching of the sphincter muscle that shuts the bladder can result in the muscle not relaxing completely during urination. This can result in incomplete emptying of the bladder during urination, which also increases the risk of urinary tract infections, explains the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Urinary Tract Infections in Children
- Medline Plus: Urinary Tract Infection - Children
- KidsHealth.org: Urinary Tract Infections
- GeorgiaHealthInfo.gov: Vesicoureteral Reflux
- University of Maryland Medical Center Children's Health: Urinary Tract Infection
