Signs & Symptoms of UTI in Infants

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), by the time your child is 11 years old, 3 percent of girls and 1 percent of boys will have already experienced a urinary tract infection (UTI). Knowing the signs and symptoms of a UTI in infants (which occurs when part of your child's urinary tract becomes infected) will help you more quickly recognize the presence of this often-overlooked bacterial infection.

Fever

• One of the most common signs of a urinary tract infection in infants is a fever. A fever indicates the attempts of your baby's body to fight off an infection. Although it is often accompanied by other signs, for many infants, a fever may be your only indication that your child is experiencing a urinary tract infection. In fact, the AAP states that if your child has a fever and no other symptoms, her chances of having a UTI are 5 percent.

Irritability

• When your infant has a urinary tract infection, he often will show his discomfort by exhibiting uncharacteristic irritability, including excessive crying and clinginess. This seemingly unexplainable irritability often arises from the abdominal pain, burning, and inability to urinate that accompany a typical urinary tract infection. Since your little one cannot yet talk, she reveals the fact that she's experiencing pain through changes in behavior. Typically persistent, this excessive irritability may increase when your little one needs to urinate.

Eating Habits

• Sudden or gradual changes in your infant's eating habits, including vomiting or diarrhea, frequently accompany other symptoms of a urinary tract infection. According to the AAP, changes you might notice include a decrease in your baby's interest in food in general, which could even be as serious as a complete refusal to eat or vomiting, depending upon the level of pain he is experiencing. Some infants with a urinary tract infection may demonstrate less obvious digestive symptoms, such as an overall lack of normal growth.

Urine Differences

• Although not always present, changes in your baby's urine and urine habits are one of the most characteristic indications of a urinary tract infection. When you change your baby's diaper, you may notice the urine has an unusual foul odor. Other more subtle urine differences include cloudiness or the presence of blood, which you might find as a spot on your little one's diaper. Although this occurs less frequently with infants and babies, you might also notice that your little one seems to be straining to urinate but is unable to do so.

Considerations

• Left untreated, a urinary tract infection could lead to serious kidney damage, especially for children younger than 2 years, so it is essential that your child receive medication as soon as possible. Your infant's age and inability to communicate with words play a significant role in hindering you from determining if he may have a urinary tract infection, so it is important that you pay close attention to any changes in his normal behavior or daily habits that may indicate that something serious is wrong. If your little one is experiencing any of these symptoms of a urinary tract infection for more than 24 hours, you should contact your baby's doctor for diagnosis and treatment.