Aside from bedwetting, urinary tract infections--UTIs--are the most common urologic conditions in children and the second most common diagnosed infections following upper respiratory infections. While it is more common in boys under 1, girls between the ages of 1 and 3 are 10 times more likely to have a urinary tract infection than boys of the same age. According to the National Institute of Health, 5 percent of girls and 3 percent of boys will have at least one episode by age 11. Knowing the causes of UTIs can give parents a better understanding of this condition and hopefully more tools to help prevent them.
Urinary tract abnormalities
Anatomical abnormalities of the kidney, ureter, bladder or urethra increase the risk for urinary tract infections, especially if vesicoureteral reflux is present. In these cases, urine backs up into the kidneys from the bladder during urination. The incidences of vasicoureteral reflux decrease with age and many children outgrow it by the age of 9.
Poor hygiene
Urine is sterile but bacteria normally found in stool can enter the urinary tract. As children begin toilet training, some will wipe from back, near the opening of the anus, to front, the opening of the urethra. When bacteria gets into the urinary tract it can cause an infection.
Voiding dysfunction
Abnormal filling or emptying of the bladder can lead to UTIs. This is particularly relevant when it comes to children as many are just learning how to control their bladder and it can be difficult to interpret their daytime accidents. As children fully engage in playing, they may choose not to respond to the urge they feel to urinate. A trained health practitioner can identify the cause of the voiding dysfunction.
Dehydration and constipation
Poor fluid intake, or improper fluids, such as too much soda or undiluted fruit juices can lead to dehydration and constipation. Because of the lack of fluid, it takes longer for the bladder to fill and many children will hold in urine giving bacteria a chance to multiply. Dehydration also increases the incidence of constipation which has also been found to increase the risk for UTIs in children.
Antibiotic use
Prior antibiotic treatment of other type of infection, such as ear infection or upper respiratory infection, alters the balance of bacterial flora normally found around the urethra opening and the vagina. This shift in flora increases the risk for both UTIs and pyelonephritis--kidney infection--, as well as vaginal yeast infections.
