Urinary tract infection in babies: symptoms, causes and treatment

Urinary tract infections in babies are very common and occur when pathogenic bacteria reach the baby’s bladder or kidneys, causing symptoms such as fever, dark and strong-smelling urine, crying and discomfort when urinating.

Urinary tract infections in babies and children can be caused by several factors such as kidney malformations, obstruction of the urinary tract or poor hygiene habits, being more common in girls, as the urethra is shorter and there is greater proximity of the anus.

The diagnosis of urinary infection is made by the pediatrician, who will evaluate the signs and symptoms presented by the child, in addition to requesting a urine culture to confirm the infection, identify the infectious agent responsible and the most appropriate antimicrobial for treatment.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of urinary tract infection are:

• The baby cries or complains when he pees;
• Urine darker than normal;
• Urine with a very intense smell;
• Fever between 37 and 38 ºC.

Furthermore, the baby may lose its appetite, become more irritable and lack energy, and it is important that the pediatrician is consulted.

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of urinary infection in babies is made by the pediatrician by evaluating the symptoms presented by the baby and performing a urine test. When the baby is still wearing a diaper, the doctor may advise you to place a type of bag suitable for collecting urine in the genital region, which should remain in place until the baby pees.

Urinalysis is important to confirm urinary infection and identify the infectious agent responsible for the infection, making treatment more specific. See more about urine testing to confirm urinary infection.

Make an appointment with the nearest pediatrician to investigate the urinary infection and start the best treatment:

Causes of urinary tract infection in babies

The main causes of frequent urinary tract infections in babies are:

• Renal malformation;
• Obstruction in the urinary tract;
• Vesicoureteral reflux, which is a situation in which urine circulates in the opposite direction to normal;
• Bad hygiene habits;
• Family history of urinary tract infection.

Children under 1 year of age who have not had surgery to remove the foreskin of the penis also have an increased risk of developing a urinary tract infection.

How the treatment is carried out

Treatment for urinary tract infections, both in children and babies, is done with the use of antibiotics recommended by the pediatrician. The dose of the recommended antibiotic depends on body weight and should be used as directed by the doctor, even if symptoms are no longer noticed, to ensure the elimination of the infectious agent.

The doctor may repeat the urine analysis to ensure there is no further sign of infection, as a urinary infection that is not treated correctly can spread to other areas, increasing the risk of complications.

It is also important to change the baby’s diaper several times a day, in addition to cleaning it with a cotton pad wet with water or saline solution, avoiding the use of wet wipes. Furthermore, it is recommended to ensure that your baby is well hydrated, as this will help eliminate excess bacteria through urine.

In the case of nursing babies, it is recommended that breastfeeding occurs on demand, and the pediatrician may also recommend giving, in some cases, a little water in the bottle to supplement it.

Possible complications

If not treated in time and/or according to the doctor’s instructions, urinary infections in children and babies can affect the kidneys, causing pyelonephritis. Furthermore, an untreated urinary tract infection can cause the infectious agent that causes the infection to reach the blood, causing sepsis, which is a serious situation and can make it necessary for the baby to be admitted to the hospital.

In some cases, a high fever increases the baby and child’s need for fluids and, if hydration is not adequate, it can cause dehydration.

How to prevent urinary tract infection

Preventing urinary tract infections in babies includes some relatively simple measures, such as:

• Always keep the baby clean and drychanging the diaper and cleaning the baby regularly to help prevent the proliferation of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections;
• Clean the baby’s intimate area with a cotton compress with water or saline solution;
• Always clean the girls’ intimate area from front to back. to prevent microorganisms from the anal region from reaching the genital region;
• Wear cotton underwearas it helps keep the intimate area less stuffy;
• Give plenty of fluids for baby and child.

Another important tip is to always keep the changing table very clean, cleaning it with alcohol after each diaper change and taking the same care with the baby’s bathtub.