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Neonatal UTI Treatment

Urinary tract infections are inflammations of the urinary system, which include the kidneys, the bladder and the urethra. Although these infections are common, certain groups are more prone to contract them, including newborns. Neonatal urinary tract infections can be a scary situation for a new parent to face. However, you should know that neonatal urinary tract infection treatment is straightforward and simple.

  1. Diagnosis

    • Before treatment of the neonatal urinary tract infection can begin, there must be a professional diagnosis done by your newborn's health care provider. This is normally done through an analysis of your newborn's urine. Unlike older children or adults, your newborn cannot give a urine sample the normal way. Instead, his health care provider will most likely draw urine out using a catheter, a thin, flexible tube that is inserted through his urethra and into this bladder. The urine is then collected and analyzed for the presence of bacteria. Urine is normally sterile, so the presence of bacteria indicates a urinary tract infection.

    Treatment

    • Although there are many home remedies and over-the-counter medications that treat urinary tract infections, most neonatal urinary tract infections are treated through antibiotics to avoid any complications. Home remedies and OTC drugs do not kill the infection. Instead, they soothe the symptoms while the person's immune system handles the infection causing bacteria. A newborn's immune system is not fully developed and cannot be relied on to cure the infection itself. A commonly prescribed antibiotic for neonatal urinary tract infections is orally given liquid amoxicillin. Depending on the severity of the infection and the age and health of the newborn, the prescription can last up to 2 weeks. Always administer your baby's medicine as directed by her health care provider.

    Lookout for Recurring Neonatal UTI

    • Even though your baby's UTI has been treated, you should be on the lookout in case the symptoms occur. While most neonatal urinary tract infections are treated by prescription antibiotics, there are cases where the infection is just a symptom of a larger problem. This is especially true when the newborn is suffering from recurring urinary tract infections. In these cases, there is often some sort of blockage in the urinary tract. There could be an anomaly in the newborn's urinary system caused by birth defects. Kidney disease is another common cause of recurring urinary tract infections. If your newborn is suffering from recurring urinary tract infections, his health care provider will examine the urinary tract through x-ray or ultrasound technology. Any blockages or flow issues will be treated as the separate condition it is. Once the underlying condition is gone, the neonatal urinary tract infections usually stop too.

    Prevent Future UTIs

    • The best treatment of neonatal urinary tract infections is to prevent them from occurring at all. Change your newborn's diaper frequently to avoid the bacteria in her stool being spread to the urinary system. You should also wipe your baby front to back after a bowel movement. Wash her genitals frequently with mild soap and water. However, stay away from soaps with dyes and fragrances added, as these can irritate the urethra and invite infection.

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