A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common, short-term infection that targets a baby, infant, toddler or child’s kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra. It causes pain and discomfort, especially while peeing. If left untreated, it can lead to complications. Antibiotics and fluids help clear the infection.
A UTI is a urinary tract infection. The urinary tract gets rid of extra fluids and waste in your child’s body. Bacteria (germs) get into their urinary tract, most commonly through the skin around their rectum and genitals. It causes symptoms that include fever, irritability and painful urination. Adults can also develop urinary tract infections.
UTIs in kids sometimes go unnoticed because it may not be obvious when a child has an infection, especially if they’re too young to voice their symptoms. Urinary tract infections need treatment immediately to prevent the infection from spreading and damaging their kidneys.
Your child’s urinary tract includes their kidneys, the ureters (the connecting tubes from the kidneys to the bladder), the bladder and the urethra (the connection to the outside world). The kidneys filter blood and make urine. The urine travels through the ureters to the bladder, which stores the urine. Then, the urine passes through the urethra and out of the body.
There are two types of UTIs based on the location of the infection in your child’s urinary tract:
Urinary tract infections in kids are common. By age 6, studies estimate that approximately 2% of boys or children assigned male at birth (AMAB) and 8% of girls or children assigned female at birth (AFAB) have at least one UTI.
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Signs and symptoms of a UTI in babies, infants and toddlers may include:
Signs and symptoms of a UTI in older children may include:
Yes, symptoms can be the same in both boys or children AMAB and girls or children AFAB. Children with female genitalia may be more at risk of developing a UTI because the urethra or the tube that exits the bladder in their body is shorter than that of boys and children AMAB.
Not necessarily. Most children who get UTIs don’t have other urinary tract problems.
Bacteria cause urinary tract infections. These organisms live in your child’s gut, reproductive system and on their skin. The most common bacteria include the following:
Normal urine is sterile; it doesn’t contain bacteria or other infectious organisms. It’s made of fluids, salts and waste products. An infection occurs when microorganisms cling to the opening of the urethra (the hollow tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body). Microorganisms begin to multiply there. Most infections arise from Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria that normally live in the digestive tract and in poop. E. coli affects about 85% of UTIs in kids.
Studies suggest that super-absorbent diapers can be a risk factor for UTIs in infant girls or children AFAB. In addition, baby wipes themselves don’t cause UTIs in infants, rather the direction in which you use the wipe can contribute to an infection. Wiping from front to back can help prevent UTIs in infants. When you wipe back to front, or from the anus (butthole) towards urethra, you’re carrying bacteria that normally live around the anus to the urethra, where bacteria shouldn’t live.
No. Urinary tract infections aren’t contagious, and they can’t spread to you or anyone else.
Risk factors of UTIs in babies, infants, toddlers and children include:
Complications of a UTI in kids include:
About 3% of children who get a urinary tract infection may have kidney problems in the future, including scarring. Complications of kidney (renal) scarring include:
A healthcare provider will diagnose a UTI in your child after performing a physical exam and testing. During your child’s exam, their provider will take a detailed medical history and they may ask the following questions:
Tests to diagnose a UTI in kids include:
Antibiotics treat a UTI in kids. Common antibiotics include:
Your child’s healthcare provider may give them antibiotics that they take by mouth as directed or through a needle into your child’s veins (intravenously). Their provider may also prescribe medications for their fever and/or pain and recommend your child drink plenty of fluids.
Your child’s primary care physician (PCP) will likely be able to treat your child’s UTI. If there are any complications, a PCP may refer your child to a urologist or nephrologist, who are healthcare providers who specialize in the urinary tract.
Your child needs antibiotics to make their UTI go away, so they need to see a healthcare provider. Follow the directions on the label and make sure your child completes their antibiotic treatment entirely, even if they’re feeling better.
At home, you can make sure your child is drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. They may not want to eat regular meals if they have nausea. Try eating multiple small, bland meals throughout the day instead of three big meals. If your child isn’t able to eat and drink, contact their healthcare provider.
There’s some scientific proof that cranberry juice can help resolve a UTI. However, the evidence shows that it primarily helps women or people AFAB with repeated UTIs, not children. Drinking fluids will help clear a UTI with antibiotics, so plenty of water or other beverages can be very helpful.
Side effects of antibiotics may include:
After treatment for a UTI, your child may feel better in a day or two. The infection should be gone in about a week. Even if they feel better, they should continue taking their antibiotics as prescribed.
Even with the best hygiene and maintenance, you can’t prevent all UTIs in kids. You can help your child reduce their risk of getting a UTI by:
Your child’s healthcare provider can offer more tips to help your child prevent future infections.
A UTI is a temporary infection. Antibiotics treat it and your child should feel better within a couple of days after beginning their treatment. The infection clears up in a week. Complications are rare but possible with a UTI in kids because the condition is more difficult to diagnose. Children may not be able to pinpoint their discomfort. A delay in treatment can cause complications like kidney infections.
If your child has a UTI and gets it treated, they may get the infection again in the future. You can teach your child how to wipe after they go potty (front to back) to reduce their risk of developing the infection in the future.
A UTI will last about a week after your child begins treatment with antibiotics. They may feel better sooner than a week with treatment.
Hospitalization for a UTI may be necessary if your child:
Urinary tract infections need treatment by a healthcare provider. Call their primary care physician if they:
Quickly getting treatment for your child’s UTI decreases their risk of kidney problems and the risk that the infection could spread.
A bladder infection only affects your child’s bladder. A urinary tract infection can affect all parts of your child’s urinary system — including their bladder, kidneys, ureters and urethra. Symptoms of both types of infections are similar.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
A UTI in kids is a common, temporary infection that’s treatable. Although a UTI isn’t a life-threatening condition, it may result in a hospital stay or lead to complications that can affect your child’s quality of life. Be sure to have them checked out by their healthcare provider as soon as they show symptoms. Always make sure that your child takes all of their prescribed medication, even if they seem better.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/14/2023.
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