Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are common among infants and young children. According to Healthy Children, an American Academy of Pediatrics website, urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria that get into the urinary tract from other parts of the body via the bloodstream or from the skin around the rectum and genitals. These bacteria can then infect any or all of the parts of the urinary tract, including the urethra, bladder and kidneys. Urinary tract infections in infants are often overlooked and untreated because the symptoms are less apparent in babies than they are in older children and adults.
Fever
For many babies, fever might be the only symptom of a urinary tract infection noticed by parents or caregivers. According to Healthy Children, a young child with a high fever and no other symptoms has a 1 in 20 chance of having a UTI. While fever might be present in some cases of mild UTI infection, it is typically associated with moderate to severe infections, including kidney involvement. Because of this, an infant with unexplained fever needs to be examined by a pediatrician as soon as possible to rule out the possibility of a UTI.
Pain
Urinary tract infections can be painful. Babies with urinary tract infections might experience pain or burning during urination, abdominal pain and lower back or side pain around where the kidneys are located. Assessing pain in infants is challenging because babies can't tell their parents where they hurt. According to BabyCenter.com, babies suffering from UTI pain may present with persistent, unexplainable irritability and crying during urination.
Urinary Symptoms
Several urinary symptoms are commonly seen in infants with urinary tract infections. In addition to pain or burning during urination, an infant with a UTI might also have cloudy, bloody or foul-smelling urine. These children might also need to urinate frequently but will only produce small amounts of urine with each attempt. While it might be difficult to tell whether a baby in diapers is having cloudy urine, a foul-smelling diaper or one that appears to have blood in it is definitely cause for concern. Parents might also notice a sudden increase in the number of wet diapers a baby is having per day.
Abdominal Upset
According to HealthyChildren.org, several abdominal symptoms are associated with urinary tract infections. An infant with a UTI might refuse to eat, vomit or have a poor growth rate. Some babies might also have diarrhea. Many childhood illnesses share these common symptoms, so it is important that babies experiencing unexplained abdominal upset be examined by a pediatrician to determine whether they have a urinary tract infection requiring medical treatment.
Prevention
While it might be difficult for parents to tell whether a baby has a urinary tract infection, taking several steps will help prevent them from getting one in the first place. According to AskDr.Sears.com, parents should avoid irritants such as bubble baths, which can irritate the urethra. Tight clothing and underpants should also be avoided. Baby girls should be wiped from front to back after having a bowel movement to prevent bacteria from entering the urethra. Constipation should be avoided and parents should ensure that their baby gets enough fluids.
