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Signs of a Kidney Infection in Infants

A kidney infection is a upper urinary tract infection (UTI) called pyelonephritis. Since a common symptom is pain, it can be difficult to know when a baby is showing signs of a kidney infection. Other symptoms, however, can point to this possibility.

  1. Unexplained Fever

    • According to the Dr. Spock website, about 1 of every 20 children between 2 months and 2 years of age with an unexplained fever has a UTI. Most of these UTIs are not kidney infections but affect the bladder or urethra instead.

    High Fever and Additional Symptoms

    • Usually a fever over 102° F during a UTI points to a kidney infection. The baby also may have shaking chills. Additionally, fatigue and tiredness are associated with kidney infections.

    Urination Behavior

    • An infant with a kidney infection may be irritable, particularly when urinating. He may cry when urinating and may urinate more often than usual.

    Urine Characteristics

    • A kidney infection also may have signs of foul or otherwise different odor to the urine or blood in the urine, indicated by a dark or reddish color.

    Other Signs

    • The other common symptom of a kidney infection is lower back pain, but unfortunately, an infant is not able to communicate this. More visible symptoms include trouble sleeping, lack of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea.

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