Signs of Bladder Infections in Children

Bladder infections occur when bacteria accumulates resulting in an infection. Bladder infections in children, also known as urinary tract infections, are caused by a variety of situations such as bubble baths, holding in urination and even constipation. Parents should learn what these signs include. This will help determine whether their child has a bladder infection and whether to obtain immediate medical treatment, which can prevent further infections, such as kidney infections. Girls can be more prone to bladder infections because of shorter urethras, which promote easy travel for bacteria.

Causes

• The top causes of bladder infections in children include soreness and irritation of the urethra caused from clothing, soaps, bubble baths and/or stool; improper wiping; holding in urine and refusing to use the restroom; constipation; and anatomic abnormalities involved with the development of the bladder, kidneys and/or urethra.

Symptoms

• Signs of a bladder infection in children can include pain and burning during urination. Your child might experience an urgency to keep urinating and frequent urination. She also might have foul smelling urine and a mild fever.

Treatments

• After a positive diagnosis of a bladder infection, your pediatrician will likely prescribe an antibiotic and require him to drink plenty of fluids, including water and cranberry juice, to flush bacteria from the bladder. You need to make sure she urinates frequently to prevent bacteria from building in the bladder. If he experiences severe pain during urination, try letting him sit in a warm bath to urinate. This should alleviate the pain. Bladder infections left untreated can develop into kidney infections.

Prevention/Solution

• Prevent bladder infections by avoiding bubble baths, strongly perfumed soaps, and harsh soaps and shampoos during bath time. Teach children the proper wiping technique of front to back after bowel movements. Encourage children to drink fluids during the day and to urinate as often as possible. Make sure your child is eating a balanced diet to prevent constipation, which can promote bladder infections. Dress your child in loose, comfortable pants, leggings and bottoms, avoiding any form of tight underpants, which can irritate your child's urethra, promoting bladder infections.

Considerations

• Children with recurring bladder infections should have a urine culture check every one to two months to monitor possible infections. Your pediatrician might recommend taking prophylactic antibiotics, a low-dose of daily antibiotics, for six to 12 months to prevent recurring infections.