The Dangerous Problem with Children’s UTIs

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are usually associated with adult women, but children are prone to UTIs as well. It has come to the attention of doctors and researchers that kids’ UTIs are becoming resistant to antibiotics, a problem that is very concerning given the potential of a pediatric UTI to damage the kidneys.

Basic Information about UTIs

Bacteria can sneak into the urethra and cause infection in the urinary tract, and this commonly occurs in children when they “hold” their urine instead of going to the bathroom or neglect proper hygiene. UTIs are more prevalent in young girls since it often takes time for girls to learn to wipe from the front to the back after they’ve gone to the bathroom. Wiping back to front brings all of the bacteria to the urethra and greatly increases the risk of UTI.

The Antibiotic Resistance Explained

Resistance to antibiotics has gradually become a major concern around the world as more antibiotics are prescribed unnecessarily or misused and result in the body developing a tolerance to the medication. This threat exists even in the youngest patients, especially those with UTIs due to E.coli bacteria.

It’s much easier for young children to sustain kidney scarring and failure from UTIs, so quick treatment is critical. Since more than half of pediatric UTI cases do not respond to amoxicillin, doctors are forced to find other ways to treat dangerous UTIs.

How Should Parents Respond?

If your child does not currently have a UTI, prevention is the most important tool. Teach your child proper toilet hygiene, encourage going to the bathroom every two hours, and make sure your child drinks plenty of water to flush any existing bacteria out of the urinary tract. Cranberry juice in pure form is also a great tool to naturally kill unwanted bacteria, but cranberry juice cocktails loaded with sugar aren’t nearly as effective.

If your child has a fever, expresses pain urinating, has foul-smelling, cloudy, or bloody urine, is persistently irritable, or has abdominal pain, head to the doctor’s office immediately for further instructions.