UTI in Children
Urinary tract infections are common in children, particularly girls. They require prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent renal scarring. At Dashvanth Healthcare Delhi, our paediatricians are experienced in UTI management including investigation for underlying anatomical abnormalities.
Frequency
- Girls: 8% by age 7
- Boys: 2% by age 7 (uncircumcised boys higher risk in infancy)
- Most common in infants and toddlers
Symptoms by Age
Infants
Fever without obvious cause, poor feeding, vomiting, irritability, jaundice in newborns.
Toddlers/Young Children
Fever, abdominal/loin pain, change in urine (smelly, cloudy), frequency, urgency.
Older Children
Classic symptoms: dysuria (painful urination), frequency, lower abdominal pain, fever (if upper UTI).
Diagnosis
Urine specimen – clean catch mid-stream preferred. Urine dipstick (nitrites + leucocytes strongly suggestive). Urine culture (gold standard) with sensitivity. Do NOT start antibiotics before culture.
Treatment
- Oral antibiotics guided by local sensitivities: Co-amoxiclav, Cephalexin, Nitrofurantoin
- IV antibiotics for pyelonephritis or if child unwell
- Duration: 3–7 days lower UTI, 7–10 days upper UTI
Investigation After First UTI
Renal ultrasound for all first UTI. DMSA scan for recurrent UTI to detect renal scarring. MCUG for vesicoureteric reflux investigation in infants.
Expert paediatric UTI management at Dashvanth Healthcare Delhi: 011-41670042
