Merck explains that a urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection of the bladder or the kidneys. Newborns and infants may not have typical symptoms of UTIs. Typical symptoms of a UTI can include pain or burning during urination, pain in the bladder area or the need to urinate often. Infant symptoms of a UTI may be harder to spot or may go unnoticed as they are attributed to some other illness. Merck explains that boys are more likely to develop UTIs during infancy than girls.
Fever
Merck suggests infants may only have a fever from the urinary tract infection. It may be possible to attribute the fever to general illness without other symptoms. Caregivers should look for other signs of UTI or consult a doctor. Dr. Spock suggests the fever range can vary amongst infants. Dr. Spock indicates that approximately 1 out of every 20 children between the age of 2 months and 2 years with an unexplained fever has a urinary tract infection.
Behavioral Changes
Newborns may act sluggish, refuse to eat or have infrequent wet diapers as a result of a UTI, suggests Merck. An infant may be fussy or inconsolable if they are experiencing bladder pain or pain while urinating. These symptoms, combined with a fever may be easier to recognize as some sort of infection that requires medical attention.
Other Symptoms
Merck points out that infants may vomit or have diarrhea with a UTI. Blood in the diaper, or a pinkish color, may indicate a more severe UTI. The American Family Physician Organization (AAFP) suggests the urine of an infected child may be foul smelling, including the urine in a diaper. Dr. Spock suggests females may have redness of the vagina or irritation.
