Did you know that kids can get urinary tract infections (UTIs)? Up to 8 percent of females and 2 percent of males will experience a UTI by age 5. Many parents and the general public as well are not aware of these statistics. However, catching and treating UTIs in children is important because they are especially susceptible to kidney damage related to UTIs, more so than older kids or adults.
What is a urinary tract infection?
A UTI occurs when bacteria in the urethra travels up and into the urinary tract. Children can develop either a bladder infection (cystitis) or a kidney infection (pyelonephritis). If these infections are left untreated, they can develop into more serious health problems.
How do kids get UTIs?
Kids develop UTIs primarily because they are new to wiping; that is, how, when, and where to wipe after going to the bathroom. Teaching children the proper hygiene habits after urinating or defecating is just one of the challenging aspects of toilet training, yet it is vitally important. Children may also develop a UTI if they delay peeing for long periods of time, take bubble baths (females), wear tight pants or underwear (females), are exposed to swimming pool water, have a family history of UTIs, irritation of the vulva (vulvitis, can occur in females), or have complications with their urinary tract.
Read about 4 natural remedies for urinary tract infections
The reason girls are much more likely to develop a UTI is that their urethras are shorter and closer to the anus than it is in boys, which makes it easier for bacteria to reach the urethra.
How do you recognize UTIs in children?
Symptoms of UTIs in children can be elusive. In fact, infants and toddlers often don’t display any symptoms, so parents can be completely unaware their child has an infection. Bathroom habits are new to kids, and it can be difficult for them to even describe what they feel.
Parents should look for vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, poor appetite, and fever. Bladder infections may be marked by cloudy or bloody urine, foul-smelling urine, or burning when urinating. Kids who develop a kidney infection may present with high fever, nausea, and vomiting, stomach and back pain, severe fatigue, or chills. Mood changes and irritability can be telltale indications of a UTI, especially in younger children.
Doctors can diagnose UTIs in children by examining a urine sample. Children who are not toilet trained may need to provide a sample via a catheter, a needle inserted into the bladder, or a urine collection bag attached to the skin.
Read about how to heal and prevent urinary tract infections naturally
How do you treat and prevent UTIs in kids?
Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat your child’s UTI. In addition, there are several things parents can do to facilitate healing and prevention.
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- Communicate with your child. Teach them healthy bathroom habits and let them know it’s okay to talk about not feeling right or if they are experiencing uncomfortable symptoms. Open communication can help catch an infection early.
- Use probiotics. Children should begin taking probiotics as soon as they are diagnosed and continue throughout the medication regimen and beyond. That’s because antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria, which can weaken your child’s immune system. (In fact, probiotics are recommended anytime a child takes antibiotics for any condition.) Consult with your doctor for the optimal dosage for your child’s age and situation.
- Take cranberry supplements high on PACs. These tiny red berries contain PACs (proanthocyanidins), which are unique to cranberries and can help fight bacteria and prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract. These supplements are available as gummies, which are child-friendly. [Utiva Health has a whole line of products for Urinary Tract Health including gummies for kids.]
- Practice proper hygiene. Teach kids healthy bathroom habits early, including the use of cleansing wipes. Choose steroid- and antibiotic-free wipes that contain only natural ingredients to avoid skin irritation.
- Avoid tight clothing. Girls should wear cotton underwear and avoid tight-fitting clothes and underwear.
- Ban bubble baths. The soap can enter the urethra in girls and result in infection.
- Don’t forget fiber. Foods rich in fiber, such as apples, bananas, whole-grain bread, and legumes, can promote regularity and relieve pressure in the urinary tract. For fiber to work properly, kids also need to drink enough water.
- Stay well hydrated. Kids should drink lots of water to help flush bacteria from the body. You can make water more appealing by infusing it with strawberries, lemon, or mint.
- Skip soda. Caffeinated beverages can cause bladder irritation.
- Eat berries. Blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, and raspberries are all super sources of antioxidants. If your child isn’t crazy about berries, put them in her breakfast smoothie.
- Encourage yogurt. The beneficial bacteria in yogurt that contains live, active cultures can help boost immune function and digestion. Kids who resist yogurt may like it better if it is added to a smoothie or as yogurt popsicles.
- Get lots of vitamin C. This antioxidant is found in many fruits and vegetables such as citrus, berries, and green leafy veggies, so encourage your kids to enjoy them. Kids ages 1 to 3 should consume no more than 400 mg daily and those 4 to 8 shouldn’t exceed 650 mg from supplements, as it can cause nausea and diarrhea.
Bottom line
We often don’t think about kids getting urinary tract infections, and in fact, it’s not always clear when they have been infected. Parents who focus on good communication with their children and instill good hygiene and eating habits in their kids have gone a long way toward preventing these infections.
Check out Utiva's free eBook "The Ultimate UTI Guide" to help you improve your bladder health and other tips.
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