Urinary tract infection (UTI) in children

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, and children get them too. A UTI can affect any part of the urinary tract, including the:

• bladder
• urethra (the tube where urine leaves the body)
• kidneys

UTIs aren't usually serious, and if needed they can be treated with antibiotics.

Speak to your doctor if your child has symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI), such as:

• vomiting
• tiredness and lack of energy (lethargy)
• irritability
• not eating properly
• not gaining weight
• yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) in very young children
• pain or a burning sensation when peeing
• needing to pee frequently
• deliberately holding in their pee
• a change in their normal toilet habits, like wetting themselves or wetting the bed
• unpleasant-smelling pee
• cloudy pee

Call a doctor or the 16263 health line urgently if you think your child has a urinary tract infection (UTI) and they:

• are under 3
• have a very high temperature, or feel hot and shivery
• have a very low temperature below 36C
• are confused or drowsy
• have pain in the lower tummy or in the back, just under the ribs
• have blood in their pee

A urinary tract infection (UTI) in a child can be either upper or lower:

• upper
• lower

An upper UTI is an infection of the kidneys or the ureters. The ureters are the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder.

A lower UTI is an infection of the bladder (this is called cystitis) or of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) happens when the urinary tract gets infected, usually by bacteria.

Bacteria from the gut can get into the urinary tract through the urethra, the tube that carries pee out of the body. This can happen when a child:

• wipes their bottom
• soils their nappy

Some children are more likely to get UTIs because they have problems emptying their bladder. This can be due to:

• constipation
• dysfunctional elimination syndrome, where a child 'holds on' to their pee even though they feel the urge to go
• vesicoureteral reflux, where urine leaks back up from the bladder into the ureters and kidney

A urinary tract infection (UTI) in a child will often get better within 24 to 48 hours of treatment. It doesn't usually cause any long term problems.

Most urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children can be treated at home with antibiotics, as long as the child is:

• over 3 months
• not at risk of serious illness

Which antibiotic is best depends on the type of UTI the child has.

Some children get side effects while they're taking antibiotics, such as feeling sick or having an upset stomach. These are usually mild and should stop once the course of antibiotics is finished.

Make sure your child finishes the whole course the doctor prescribed. This helps stop the infection from coming back.

If your child needs it, you can give liquid paracetamol to help ease the symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Some children with a UTI may have to be treated in hospital, just as a precaution. Your doctor will tell you if this is necessary.

Don't use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen to treat a UTI, because they can harm the kidneys. And never give aspirin to children under the age of 16.

• Encourage girls to wipe their bottom from front to back.
• Make sure children drink enough fluids and go to the toilet regularly.
• Avoid nylon and other synthetic underwear, and pick loose cotton underwear instead.
• Avoid scented soaps or bubble baths, because these can increase the risk of a UTI.

A small number of children get urinary tract infections (UTIs) again and again. If your child has had a UTI before, keep a close eye out for any symptoms. If any of them come back, tell your doctor as soon as possible.