According to MedlinePlus.com, urgent urination is the sudden urge to urinate accompanied by bladder discomfort. This condition is also known as dysfunctional voiding. The most common cause of urgent urination is a urinary tract infection. When children experience urgent urination, it may indicate underlying health conditions such as urethritis. If your child is showing symptoms of urgent urination, consult your child's pediatrician for evaluation.
Function
The renal system consists of the kidneys, bladder and the urethra. The kidneys are responsible for regulating the amount of water in your body as well as filtering waste products and producing urine. The bladder is used to store the urine and then release it when signaled into the urethra. The urethra is the tube in which urine is expelled from the body.
Causes
Urgent urination or dysfunctional voiding may be the result of a urinary tract infection. When urinary tract infections occur, MayoClinic.com states that bacteria enter the urethra, finding their way through the ureters into the bladder, where they multiply and may cause a full-blown infection in the urinary tract. Urethritis is an inflammation and irritation of the urethra and may have symptoms lasting from weeks to months, MedlinePlus.com states. It also states that urethritis in children may be caused by a bacterial infection that leads to the narrowing of the urethra.
Symptoms
Children suffering from urgent urination caused by urethritis or a urinary tract infection may experience symptoms of painful urination, urine leakage, the need to urinate immediately or frequently, and wetting pants.
Treatment
Treatment for urgent urination depends on the cause of the condition and the type. If the urgent urination is caused by a urinary tract infection or urethritis, treatment typically includes a prescription of antibiotics. In addition, your child's pediatrician may request a follow-up to perform a urinalysis or culture sample to ensure the infection has cleared.
Warning
Untreated urinary tract infections may lead to permanent kidney damage. Consult your child's pediatrician if she experiences fever or lower back or abdominal pain accompanied by urgent urination. Additionally, the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics states that you should never punish your child for wetting herself, because it is something that is not under her control. Instead, reward your child when she voids.
