Urinary infections

These are more common in young children than you might imagine and particularly affect girls. This is because the tube leading from the bladder to the outside is much shorter in girls than in boys, so germs have a shorter distance to travel. Urinary infections are often caused by a transferral of bacteria from the bowel to the bladder via the fingers. The bacteria can infect the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder (ureters), the tube from the bladder which passes urine out of the body (urethra), the bladder itself and, more seriously, the kidneys. This is why you may hear the doctor describe it as a urinary tract infection.

Sometimes a structural defect means a child is more prone to urinary infections (see When it's more serious, below). Cystitis is the name given to a bacterial infection of the lining of the bladder that can be caused by vesico-uretetic reflux in children (see When it's more serious, below).

What are the symptoms?

It can be hard to tell if a baby or young child has a urinary infection as nappies hide the most common symptoms, such as more frequent weeing. You are more likely to pick up on general signs of ill health such as a fever or vomiting.

The main signs that your child may be suffering from a urinary infection include:

• Pain or a burning sensation when weeing
• Smelly urine
• Blood in the urine (it may turn pink)
• Dribbling urine, rather than a steady stream
• Needing to go to the loo more frequently
• If potty trained, wetting himself
• Abdominal or lower back pain
• General symptoms of ill health including fever, loss of appetite and vomiting

How are infections treated?

If your GP suspects that a urinary infection is causing your child's symptoms, he or she will ask you to collect a urine sample from your child which can be tested to see if there is an infection present. Treatment is usually with antibiotics.

When it's more serious…

Being prone to urinary infections can, rarely, indicate a more serious underlying problem such as kidney or vesico-uretetic reflux where urine travels back up from the bladder into the kidneys. If left untreated, this type of reflux can cause serious damage to the kidneys but can be treated with antibiotics and, if necessary, surgery to correct any structural defect causing the reflux. Diagnosis is usually made after an ultrasound and X-ray of the kidneys and bladder. For more information, contact the National Kidney Federation.

What you can do

• To help avoid urinary infections in the first place, encourage your child to go to the loo regularly, empty his or her bladder properly each time, drink plenty of water daily and wear cotton underwear
• Try to avoid your child becoming constipated as it can interfere with normal bladder emptying and so encourages infections
• If your child keeps on getting urinary infections, ask your GP about investigating for reflux
• If a urinary infection is confirmed in your child, offer plenty of fluids, give infant paracetamol to reduce any fever and encourage your child to go to the loo frequently

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