here are symptoms and causes of UTI in kids.

Urinary tract infection is a common problem. Usually it affects women, but many times the problem of UTI is also seen in men. Often women come to the doctor complaining that the child starts crying while urinating and swelling, rashes and redness are visible in the child’s urinary tract. All these symptoms can be of UTI. Yes! Urinary track infections, or UTIs, can affect children as well. Let’s know everything about this.

Generally, there is no germ and bacteria in the urine of children. But millions of bacteria are present in the intestine. When bacteria from the intestines enter the urinary track, the chances of a urinary tract infection increase.

Health Shots spoke to Dr Geeta Kekre, MBBS, MS, General Surgery, MCh Pediatric Surgeon from Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune on this topic. He has told some important things about UTI in children. So let’s know, the causes, symptoms and preventive measures of UTI in children.

First know what is urinary track infection?

When bacteria enter the urinary track, they begin to multiply rapidly. In this case, due to the activation of bacteria, the lining of the urinary track becomes inflamed, and the skin becomes red, irritated and painful. In such a situation, many other types of symptoms are seen in the body.

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These symptoms are seen in the condition of UTI in children

Burning or pain while urinating – In the event of a UTI, an older child may be able to tell that they experience pain in the lower abdomen while urinating. Also, there is a burning sensation in the way of their urine. But the children who cannot speak start crying in such a situation.

That’s why parents should pay attention that even their child does not start crying after urinating. Along with this, many other symptoms can also be seen like –

Abdominal pain
Fever
passing urine
blood in urine
frequent urination
temporary inability to control urination

These symptoms can be seen in infant and toddler

Fever
lethargy
irritability
decrease in spasticity
do not drink breast milk

What is the main cause of UTI in children?

Often children use toilet paper from back to front after going to the bathroom due to carelessness and lack of knowledge. In such a situation, the risk of infection increases. Especially it affects girls more, because their intimate parts are very close to each other.

While young children remain in diapers, due to which urine and feces remain in their diapers for a long time. In this case, due to prolonged contact of urine and feces, bacteria enter the bladder from the urethra, increasing the risk of infection.

Now know how to treat UTI in children

Doctors first prescribe antibiotics to cure urinary tract infection. First of all there is urine test of children. In which it is determined what type of antibiotic to give them. Along with this, try to keep the children as much hydrated as possible. This helps flush out harmful bacteria from their bladder. However, lower urinary tract infection can be treated at home with medicines. But upper urinary tract infections in children require a doctor’s care and antibiotics.

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Keep these things in mind to protect small children from UTI

perineal hygiene

After babies poop, wipe their buttocks from front to back, not back to front. It is more important to take this precaution especially in the girl child.

keep kids hydrated

Small children do not drink water on their own, so keep giving them water from time to time and try to keep them fully hydrated. This will prevent bacteria from building up in the bladder and urine.

toilet training is necessary

It is necessary to give toilet training to children from childhood. It is important to tell them that urine and stool should not be held for a long time as this increases the risk of UTI. Along with this, it is also very important to explain to them healthy ways of cleaning after defecation.

Build the Right Food Habits

It is very important to inculcate the habit of proper eating in children from childhood. Otherwise it can also become a cause of UTI. Poor diet leads to constipation, due to which the risk of UTI increases.

Keep checking the diaper frequently. Also, change the diaper immediately if needed.

Keep getting urine tests done from time to time in children till the age of 5 to 7 years. This makes it easy to find out if the child is suffering from any kind of problem.

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