Urinary Problems in Children

Children often have urinary problems because their bodies are still developing, especially their nervous systems. They have many of the same infections and urinary problems as adults, but there are also disorders that are common among children. The treatment of urinary diseases and conditions in children is known as pediatric urology. Many urinary problems are aged-related, but some children have more serious urinary-system problems that require medical treatment.

Urinary Tract Infection

• A urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract. The urinary tract is made up of the bladder and urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. Many children develop a urinary tract infection because of an abnormality in the urinary tract or a propensity toward bodily infections. Symptoms of this type of infection include a frequent need to urinate, a burning sensation during urination, blood in the urine or difficulty urinating. This condition is often treated with medications, including amoxicillin, nitrofurantoin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim.

Urinary Incontinence

• Urinary incontinence is characterized by an inability to control the bladder. This problem is common in children ages 5 years and under, especially those who are potty training. Urinary incontinence can also be caused by an overactive bladder, a small bladder, slow development of the nerves controlling the bladder, low levels of anti-diuretic hormone in the body and anxiety. Usually children outgrow urinary incontinence and no treatment is needed. Some children are given medications such as desmopressin, imipramine or anticholinergics.

Kidney Infection

• A kidney infection is a type of urinary tract infection that spreads to the kidneys. Some children are more prone to getting kidney infections. Symptoms of a kidney infection include lower back or rib cage pain, a frequent need to urinate or urinary incontinence, blood in the urine and a burning sensation during urination. Children are usually given antibiotics for a kidney infection. If the condition is severe, antibiotics are given intravenously.

Bed-Wetting

• Bed-wetting is when children urinate while sleeping because they do not have bladder control. Bed-wetting results from slow development of the nervous system, a small bladder, low levels of the anti-diuretic hormone, diabetes, sleep apnea, and emotional or social issues. Children age 7 or older who have wet the bed can urinate before bedtime and naptime; use a moisture alarm, which goes off when they start to urinate; or wear disposable underwear. Sometimes children are given medications for bed-wedding such as desmopressin acetate, oxybutynin and hyoscyamine.

Pollakiuria

• Pollakiuria is a condition that causes children to urinate frequently, at five-minute intervals, during the day. It is common among children ages 4 to 6, but it can affect children as young as 3 and as old as 8. The only treatment is finding sources of stress in a child's life than can cause frequent urination and reducing them.

Vesicoureteral Reflux

• Vesicoureteral reflux is a condition where urine flows from the bladder to the ureters instead of from the ureters to the bladder. It is usually caused by an irregularity in the valve located near where the bladder and ureters connect, but it can also be caused by swelled ureters. Vesicoureteral reflux is usually treated with antibiotics.