Bladder Infections in Babies

About 8 percent of girls and 2 percent of boys develop at least one bladder infection---also called a urinary tract infection or UTI---during their childhood. If left untreated, or if infections are chronic, permanent damage to your child's body may occur. But how do you know if your child has a bladder infection? And what can you do about it?

Symptoms

• According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, many UTIs go undiagnosed because there are no symptoms. However, sometimes babies have one or more of the following symptoms: fever, crying during urination, frequent urination, urine that doesn't smell normal, urine that's bloody or cloudy, general irritability with no known cause, refusing to eat or vomiting.

Diagnosis

• When left untreated, UTIs can cause permanent kidney damage and, in severe cases, kidney failure.

  If a UTI is suspected, your child's pediatrician should test his urine. However, since babies can't urinate on demand, many pediatricians use a catheter to obtain a sample. Alternatively, the doctor may clean the genitals and tape a sterile, plastic bag to the area.

Other Tests

• If your child is a newborn or has reoccurring UTIs, her pediatrician likely will recommend other tests. In 30 percent to 40 percent of babies with UTIs, something called vesicoureteral reflux (VUR, which allows urine to back up into the kidneys) is discovered. These tests might include an ultrasound, X-rays and nuclear scans.

Treatment

• Babies with UTIs usually are treated with a liquid antibiotic. Although your baby may seem better after a few days, infection can rebound and become worse, so always give him the entire bottle of antibiotics.

  In more serious cases, your baby may need to stay in the hospital for several days, where he can receive fluids intravenously. In addition, newborns less than a month old usually are treated for UTIs in the hospital.

  After two weeks, your child's pediatrician should see him again to ensure the infection is gone. If your baby develops UTIs regularly, his doctor should see him every couple of months to check for infection.

  For babies with a history of UTIs, a daily dose of antibiotics may be prescribed to keep infections at bay.

Prevention

• Some people are prone to UTIs. However, there are several things you can do to help prevent your child from experiencing chronic infections.

  First, ensure she gets plenty to drink. This flushes out the urinary tract and prevents constipation, which is linked to UTIs. Ask her pediatrician how much fluid she should be receiving and let the doctor know if your child refuses to drink more.

  Once your baby is eating solids, be sure to offer her lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Again, this helps prevent constipation, which may in turn help prevent UTIs.

  Breastfeed or express your milk for at least seven months, if possible. Studies show breast milk consumed for this length of time may protect your child from UTIs.

  If your child is a girl, don't give her bubble baths and don't allow her to sit in soapy water. When you change her diaper, wipe front to back to help prevent bacteria from entering her urinary tract.