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Signs & Symptoms of an UTI in Child

Bladder infections, or urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria invades the urethra (a tube that carries urine out of the bladder) and begins to multiply. Urination usually flushes these bacteria out of the urethra before infection can occur, but occasionally they will take root and flourish. By paying attention to the signs and symptoms of a UTI in a child, you can obtain prompt medical treatment before the UTI turns into a kidney infection, a more serious condition.

  1. Painful Urination

    • Young children commonly complain of burning, stinging pain when urinating as one of the initial signs of a UTI. Infants and toddlers may not experience this clear cut sign of a UTI and often cannot verbally communicate where they hurt. They might simply cry and seem irritable or refuse to eat and play as normal.

    Increased Frequency

    • Your child might feel the urge to urinate often but only manage to produce a small amount of urine. Young potty-trained children might begin to experience "accidents" in addition to the frequent urination. According to pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene of the website drgreene.com, girls experience UTI's more frequently than boys due to their shortened urethra, with about 1 in 20 girls experiencing a UTI, especially around the time they potty train (due to the increasing likelihood of bacteria being accidentally introduced into the urethra).

    Fever

    • While fever does not necessarily accompany a UTI, according to Dr. Sears, it can be one of the only clues to the infection in infants and toddlers. He further cautions that fever frequently accompanies moderate to severe infection, which involve the kidneys, but rarely occurs in cases of mild infection. If a fever occurs as a result of a kidney infection, you can expect it to stay high (around 102 degrees F) until your child receives appropriate medical treatment. If your child experiences chills or a febrile seizure (convulsions that occur as a result of fever), seek urgent medical treatment.

    Discolored or Smelly Urine

    • Your child's urine might be cloudy or even tinged with blood. You might also notice a foul smell to the urine or observe that it smells more strongly than normal.

    Back or Abdominal Pain

    • While a back pain can be present with a moderate UTI, severe back, side or abdominal pain often indicates a kidney infection. Your child might complain of a back ache or you might notice that if you press gently on their abdomen, they complain of tenderness.

    Vomiting

    • Children, especially infants or young toddlers, might experience vomiting as a symptom of a UTI, but it more commonly indicates a kidney infection, according to Dr. Sears.

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