Contents
What is a urinary tract infection?
UTI is characterized by an abnormally high level of bacteria in the urine. It is a condition that is relatively common in young children. UTIs can be treated very well and has practically no consequences, if it is diagnosed early. Usually, bacteria first colonize the urethra and bladder before moving up to the kidneys. It is therefore necessary to be very attentive to the symptoms.
What are the first signs of a urinary tract infection in babies?
A urinary tract infection may be latent, that is, present without any suggestive sign, other than an isolated fever. In general, the symptoms observed in children are the same as those in adults. If the infection is low, affecting the urethra and bladder, there is a dysuria (burning during urination) and a pollakiuria (frequent and urgent desire to urinate, even a few drops). These are all symptoms that a toddler will obviously have trouble verbalizing. The urine will have a foul odor. The picture may be accompanied by a feverish state.
In infants, the disease may begin with an isolated fever, frequent and unusual crying, loss of appetite and / or more fragrant urine. If the infection is high, affecting the kidneys, the fever becomes more intense and is accompanied by chills.
How to diagnose urinary tract infection in babies?
At the appearance of a symptom and in the slightest doubt, a consultation with the doctor or the pediatrician is required. First, the doctor will do a test using a urine test strip. If the result is positive, a ECBU (urinalysis) will be prescribed to determine the causative germ. While waiting for the results, antibiotic treatment will be administered. This will be followed for 8 to 10 days.
Additional examinations will be carried out to detect a possible urological malformation. Newborns and infants less than 3 months old are systematically hospitalized, in order to follow the evolution. The cases of pyelonephritis (kidney infection) also require hospitalization.
What Are the Causes of UTI in Babies?
In 9 out of 10 cases, the disease is due to the colonization of Escherichia coli, a bacterium normally present in the intestine. Indeed, feces that have come into contact with the urethral meatus can carry the bacteria.
A urinary tract infection can also be triggered if the child voluntarily holds back urine, or during insufficient hydration. Constipation can also cause illness. Indeed, the intestine presents a bulge which will come to rest on the bladder, preventing a correct emptying. Stagnant urine, called urinary stasis, promotes the development of bacteria. A malformation of the urethra, called urethral stenosis, can also be at the origin of urinary retention, thus being a risk of development of bacteria. Deficiency of the valves of the ureters can cause reflux vésico-urétéral. This reflux causes the development of pyelonephritis. Indeed, the valves present on the ureters are defective and allow urine to flow from the bladder to the kidney.
How to avoid urinary tract infection in babies?
To prevent the onset of a urinary tract infection in babies and children, these simple principles are applied:
– give him enough drink throughout the day. Insufficient hydration can indeed promote urinary tract infections;
– fight against constipation, with a varied diet rich in fiber, adapted to one’s age;
– when you change your diaper, always clean it well from front to back, so as not to bring stools forward. A gesture to teach the older child who goes to the bathroom on his own;
– explain to the young child that he should not refrain from peeing when he feels like it.