Urinary Tract Infections in Children
Alternate Names : Pyelonephritis, Cystitis, Urethritis, Bladder Infection
What are the treatments for the condition?
Antibiotics are given to treat urinary tract infections. A child may begin to feel better soon after starting the antibiotic. But it is very important to finish taking the full course of antibiotics. If kidney abnormalities are found, further treatment may be needed.
Some children have to be admitted to the hospital for treatment. This is needed if a child is extremely ill, or is unable to keep down liquids or take antibiotics. Very young children may need to be admitted for intravenous antibiotics. Sometimes an older child does not get better on antibiotics by mouth and will also need an intravenous antibiotic.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
Side effects of antibiotics include stomach upset and allergic reactions, such as rash and difficulty breathing.
What happens after treatment for the condition?
Further testing will be needed in children with a UTI if the child:
is a boy
is less than 1 year old
is a girl with a kidney infection
is a girl in whom the antibiotics do not work as well as expected
has multiple UTIs
Several different tests may be done:
A kidney and bladder ultrasound uses sound waves to look for certain abnormalities in the kidneys.
A voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) shows the urethra and bladder while the bladder fills and empties. A liquid is put into the bladder through a catheter or tube inserted through the urethra. An x-ray shows the liquid traveling through the bladder and urethra. This test can reveal abnormalities of the inside of the urethra and bladder. It can also tell if there is any vesicoureteral reflux, with urine traveling the wrong direction up the urinary tract.
An intravenous pyelogram is a way to examine the whole urinary tract. A liquid is injected through an IV, a tube inserted into a vein. Then an x-ray follows the liquid as it flows through the urinary tract system. This test may reveal obstructions.
A nuclear scan uses radioactive materials injected into a vein. An image is made that shows how well the kidneys work, how the kidneys are shaped, and how urine drains from the kidneys. These scans usually do not expose a child to any more radiation than an x-ray.
How is the condition monitored?
Children with UTIs are monitored to make sure the treatment has worked. Untreated UTIs can lead to very serious kidney damage. It's very important to let the healthcare provider know if symptoms continue or come back.
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