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Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) (Child).

Your child has been treated for a urinary tract infection (infection in the urine). They have had a thorough examination and are now considered fit to be discharged. The following instructions will aid their recovery.

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A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in the urine. It can affect the bladder and sometimes the kidneys. UTIs can be common in children who are still in nappies, but they also occur in older children. They are usually caused by germs (bacteria) from the poo which are on the skin that get into the urethra (tube from which urine passes out of the bladder) and it can happen to any baby or child.

Signs and symptoms

Pain on passing urine, or back or abdominal pain
Passing urine often
Passing urine before getting to the toilet (wetting)
Smelly urine
Fever
If your child is a baby it may just be unwell – off its feeds, vomiting, lethargic, hot and irritable

The only way to know for sure if your child has a UTI is to test the urine. In babies this is done by a clean catch – holding a small pot to catch urine. Sometimes the urine has to be collected by a catheter (a small plastic tube passed up the urethra). The best way to catch a specimen is by removing your child’s nappy or pants and let them play or drink and let them wee naturally – this can be caught in a pot. It is important not to touch the inside of the pot so as not to contaminate it, as this can give a false result.

The urine is first tested by a dipstick then sent to the lab for a more detailed test. We can let you know on the day whether there is a high chance of a urine infection and start antibiotics. If your child is a baby or unwell they may need to stay in hospital for antibiotics via a drip.

An early follow-up appointment will be given with one of the paediatric consultants to check and discuss the final results of the urine and, if it is a definite infection, to ensure your child is on the correct antibiotics.

Tests

These are sometimes needed to make sure there are no problems with the bladder or kidneys. You may be directed to your GP to arrange these.

Care at home

Most children make a good recovery and have no long lasting problems. A small number can develop complex kidney problems so it is important to give your child the antibiotics and come to the follow-up appointment.

Your child may develop another infection in future so if they become unwell with a fever of no obvious cause, or develop any symptoms described above, take your child to the GP or hospital.

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