Urine infections are among the most frequent pathologies among neonates and babies; even in adulthood, they have an extraordinary incidence within the general population and women in particular. About 3% of babies have a urine infection before 11. Still, unlike adults, they cannot decipher what is happening to them, so parents must be vigilant to detect symptoms of urine infection.
If a urine infection is not detected in time, it can have significant consequences, so in the following FastlyHealarticle, we will explain all the symptoms of urine infection in babies, its causes, and prevention methods and thus prevent your child from suffering from this condition.
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Symptoms of urine infection in babies
As we have already said, urine infection is quite common among boys, especially girls. They are more exposed to this pathology due to the female anatomy, with a much shorter urethra and the urine conduit much closer to the anus, so it is much easier for germs to get there.
As urine infection can occur in any of the anatomical structures through which urine passes, from the kidneys to the urethra, it depends on where the disease occurs; some symptoms or others will be observed in the baby, then we will explain them all :
Bladder infection
The infection in the bladder is called cystitis, and it is usually the most common in girls; among the symptoms that we must take into account to be able to identify it, we find:
- Pain in the lower abdominal area, sensitive to the parents’ touch.
- Both the color and the smell of urine are more robust than is usual in the baby.
- When you urinate, pain is observed.
- One of the determining symptoms of the infection is frequency, that is, urinating more times than usual, although it is, yes, in less quantity than usual.
Kidney infection
When the urine infection affects one or both kidneys, it is called pyelonephritis, which is much more severe than cystitis. If left untreated, it can leave important sequelae in the child’s kidneys. To the symptoms described above, others must be added, such as:
- Irritability in the child.
- Fever .
- Vomiting.
- They don’t want to eat.
- They lose or stagnate in weight.
Although it is not a manageable condition to detect with the naked eye by parents, especially in cases where the baby still does not speak, as it is a relatively frequent infection in babies, doctors and pediatricians tend to notice it when a child is not well. They cannot find where that discomfort comes from.
Sequelae of urine infection in babies
As we have just said, urine infections in babies, mainly if they occur in the kidneys and are not treated in time, can leave significant sequelae in the child. The fact that your kidneys still do not have fully formed and fully operational, added to the fact that the disease has been slow to diagnose, can end up causing scars in these organs, worsening their functioning and affecting them for life.
60% of children who have suffered urinary tract infections in the infant stage have this type of infection again, which can become even more dangerous, hence the importance of knowing how to recognize the symptoms and diagnose them quickly. Other diseases may be associated with this condition, particularly hypertension.
How to prevent a urine infection in babies
Zero risk does not exist, so we cannot be 100% sure that our baby will not suffer a urine infection; we can take a series of measures to prevent or, at least, hinder you from getting these types of conditions. Taking into account that the cause of this pathology is the entry into the urinary structure of germs from the anal area, these are the tips we give you to prevent urine infection in babies :
- Change diapers frequently.
- It is preferable to change diapers very often, even if they are not of such high quality, than to buy costly diapers and have the baby wear them for long hours.
- If the child is older, they must be made to understand that they should not hold back the urge to pee and that when they feel like urinating, they should go to the bathroom. This cleanses the urinary system.
- Every time they urinate, we must adequately dry their genitals. In the case of girls, this cleaning should go from top to bottom, that is, from the vulva to the anus.
- The inner layer should be cotton.
- Please do not use too aggressive soaps; it is better to use milder soaps.
- Keep them constantly hydrated; babies should be offered water so that they can drink during the day.
Treatment of infection in babies
When the doctor suspects that the child has a urine infection, he orders a urine culture to determine which germ is causing the damage and administer the drug that best suits the circumstances. Since the results are not immediate but take a few days, it is common for the doctor to choose to start antibiotic treatment before knowing what type of germ it is targeting, avoiding possible complications in the infection. Later, if the treatment has not worked, the necessary antibiotic is already given according to the results, while if it works, they gain a few days. This procedure is carried out like this because, in most cases, the germ that causes the urine infection is the escherichia Coli.
In children less than one-year-old, in most cases, it is necessary to keep them hospitalized since antibiotics and treatment are given intravenously, in addition to being able to attend to any complication that may occur in the state at the time—baby’s health. In older babies and young children, treatment with oral antibiotics can already be done, a treatment that can last from 6 months to 2 years.
Depending on whether the baby has had more repetitions of the urine infection or pyelonephritis, if he is still a lactating or newborn, if there has been any injury to the kidney, and many other factors, one treatment or another is chosen. It is prolonged for more or less time, invariably to preserve the baby’s health.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.