Urinary Tract Infections In Children
Urinary tract infections in children are quite common. These infections usually occur when bacteria reach the urinary tract, bladder and / or kidneys. It is necessary to consult a doctor to start treatment as soon as possible if you notice the presence of symptoms.
This article describes in detail what urinary tract infections are in children and how they can be treated.
Urinary tract infections in children
Urinary tract infections occur as a result of the presence or proliferation of microorganisms in the urinary organs. An asymptomatic urinary tract infection is a different type of infection, called asymptomatic bacteriuria.
In general, these health problems are classified according to where the infection occurs. The most common bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections in children are Proteus, Klebsiella, Enterobacteria, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. In newborns, there are cases of infection with the microorganisms Listeria monocytogenes and Enterococcus.
Unfortunately, urinary tract infections are common in children and can recur. In fact, even long-term complications can occur. Therefore, it is very important to consult a pediatrician so that the little one can start treatment as soon as possible. This way, you will avoid aggravating the infection or the long-term consequences.
Symptoms of urinary tract infections in children
- Urinary tract problems (for example, tract or urethral obstruction)
- Vesicoureteral reflux, which is a disorder that causes urine to flow into the kidneys and ureters.
How your doctor decides to collect urine for analysis will depend on the child’s age. At an older age, the doctor will simply ask the child to urinate in a sterile container. For younger children who are still wearing diapers, doctors will use a catheter to get the sample.
In the most severe cases, the child may need hospitalization. This is especially true if the baby is less than six months old, if the infection has affected the kidneys or if the baby is dehydrated.
Recommendations for parents
- When the first symptoms appear, the child should be taken to the doctor immediately for a correct diagnosis.
- After being diagnosed, follow the doctor’s instructions and recommendations and administer the recommended antibiotics.
- Keep track of how often your baby urinates. If he is old enough to talk, ask him how he feels and if he feels pain when urinating.
- Ask the child to drink plenty of water. Avoid allowing him to drink soda, tea or other beverages. It must be well hydrated to help eliminate the infection from the body.
- When it comes to prevention, in the case of children who are still wearing diapers, make sure you change them frequently to help keep the urinary tract clean.
- In the case of older children who already go to the toilet alone, explain the appropriate hygiene rules and habits. For example, we should teach girls to always clean from front to back so that bacteria in the rectal area do not enter the urethra.
- Also choose children’s cotton underwear and avoid synthetic materials that make perspiration difficult.
