Children, especially infants, have a greater risk of kidney damage than adolescents or adults when a UTI with fever occurs. This is because the infant kidney cannot block bacteria from entering inside it. If infection enters the kidney, the kidney can be severely damaged, sometimes resulting in kidney failure. For this reason, it is important that parents seek medical attention very early if an infection is suspected.

Unfortunately, the symptoms of UTI in an infant can be inconsistent. Infants may have symptoms such as a high fever, be irritable, and not eat or sometimes have only a low-grade fever, loose bowel movements or just not seem healthy. Sometimes the urine odor is bad. Because these are also symptoms of other infections, it is important to have the child examined by a physician.

Older children can tell you if it hurts to pee, but sometimes conditions other than UTI can cause the same symptoms.

Many times a urine sample is all that is needed to diagnose an infection. In most cases, a round of antibiotics specific to the type of bacteria can cure the infection. Boys with a UTI need to be evaluated by a urologist to rule out potential anatomic problems. Any infections with fever, especially in girls, requires a more thorough examination by a urologist.

For more information on Urinary Tract Infections in Children click here.