Urinary tract infections, also called UTIs, can affect infants, children and adults. They are caused by an organism that that infects one or multiple components of the urinary tract. Most commonly, a bacteria is to blame for a UTI. There are various reasons bacteria and other infectious organisms can overpopulate the urinary tract, resulting in the symptoms of an infection. Most UTIs in infants can be cleared up quickly with antibiotics, but sometimes other medical intervention is necessary.
Lack of Circumcision
Infants who have not been circumcised at birth may be at a greater risk of urinary tract infections during the first three months of life, states the American Academy of Family Physicians. This can be due to poor cleaning practices by the caregivers. It can also be due to the general structure of the skin that covers the tip of the penis. When the foreskin is intact, as it is with an uncircumcised baby, bacteria can build up in the folds and enter the urethra causing an infection of the urinary tract. UTI risks may diminish as the infant ages.
Antibiotics
Infants, like adults, have a natural flora within the body. This is made up of various organisms including bacteria and fungus. The American Academy of Family Physicians points out that during the first few months of life, an infant becomes colonized by certain pathogens like E. coli. Colonization occurs when bacteria exist in the body, but can lead to an infection if they overproduce and cause a flora imbalance. The use of antibiotics to treat other infections can disrupt the flora balance. Such drugs are unable to discriminate between healthy and harmful bacteria. The result of antibiotic use is the destruction of both types of bacteria. The urinary tract can become infected when this occurs because healthy bacteria are no longer able to keep potentially harmful organisms from overpopulating the area.
Voiding Dysfunction
Characteristics of voiding dysfunction include urgency, frequency, hesitancy, painful urination, dribbling of urine and overt incontinence. Symptoms of a voiding dysfunction may be secondary to a UTI or to local irritants such as pinworm infestation, bubble bath, or excessive calcium secretion, states the American Academy of Family Physicians. In an anatomically and neurologically normal child, voiding dysfunction can be caused an unstable urinary bladder, resulting in recurrent UTIs. There are also various types of functional abnormalities that can make it easier for bacteria to remain inside the areas of the urinary tract, which can result in an infection. More serious voiding problems can be caused by urinary conditions like blockages in the urinary tract caused by tissue malformations present at birth, or poorly functioning urinary tract components, according to KidsHealth.org. When these characteristics are present, the infant may be unable to fully empty the bladder, allowing urine to pool in the tract. Frequent urinary tract infections can lead a health care provider to conduct more tests or examinations to determine if a functional abnormality is to blame.
Poor Hygiene
Caregivers have the responsibility of keeping an infant's diapered area clean. Gentle wiping with baby wipes or a wash cloth during every diaper change, along with frequent diaper changes, can prevent or reduce the risk of an infant UTI. When fecal matter comes into contact with the genital area, the risk of infection can increase. This is more common in girls than boys due to the shape of the genitalia. BabyCenter.com points out that wiping from front to back and avoiding harsh soaps or cleansers can reduce the risk of irritating the urinary tract and causing an infection.
