Did you know babies and children can get urinary tract infections?

What is a urinary tract infection?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections that can occur at any age.

The urinary tract includes kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra.


The infection can occur anywhere within the urinary tract. The bacteria often enter the system through the urethra.

UTI Symptoms by Age

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Children under 5

Children 5 or older

Children Younger than 5

Fever
Smelly Pee
Less pee than normal
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Fussiness
Accidents (loss of bladder control)
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Symptoms other parents saw

"We didn't know a fever could be the only sign of a UTI."
"I noticed when he peed it was really cloudy."
"She'd be crying in pain because it hurt to pee."
"He was irritable, we couldn't settle him at all."
"She couldn't pee, she would try and just be bouncing up and down in pain."
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When to seek care

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Emergency Department

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When to seek emergency care

You should seek emergency care if your child has any of the following symptoms:

Is less than 3 months old and has a fever

Has not peed in over 8 hours

Is vomiting and has other signs of a UTI

Is very sleepy and difficult to wake up

Treatment

UTI symptoms can be non-specific and vague.

It can be hard to tell if your child has a UTI, and some tests are needed to confirm a diagnosis.

If you think your child has a UTI, it’s important to consult a doctor right away.

Delays in treating UTIs may lead to more problems.

UTIs are treated with antibiotics. Always follow your health care provider's instructions, and always finish all the antibiotics prescribed.

If your child is still showing symptoms 2 days after receiving medical care and being treated with antibiotics, you should return to your healthcare provider.

Tips to help manage your child’s symptoms and prevent UTIs:

Continue to offer plenty of fluids
Use Tylenol or Advil (or generic equivalents) to manage pain and fever
Change diapers often
Teach your children to pee and poop regularly
Wipe from front to back for girls
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Liability Statement

This infographic was brought to you by ECHO, ARCHE & TREKK​

This research was funded by the Networks of Centres of Excellence and the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation through the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute.

Women and children's health research institute Stollery Childrens Hospital Foundation logo

© ECHO Research and ARCHE, 2024. This resource may not be modified, reproduced or distributed without prior written consent of ECHO Research and ARCHE. Contact shannon.scott@ualberta.ca

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The information contained in this video/multimedia content (the “Multimedia”) is provided on an “as is” basis and is offered for general information and educational purposes only; it is not offered as and does not constitute professional advice. There is no guarantee about the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of the information found in the Multimedia. This information is provided without warranty of any kind, and the University of Alberta, its agents, employees, and students disclaim responsibility to any party for any loss or damage of any kind that may arise directly or indirectly as a result of the use of or reliance on the information contained in the Multimedia.

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Disclaimer

The information contained in the video/multimedia content (the “Multimedia”) is provided on an “as is” basis and is offered for general information and educational purposes only; it is not offered as and does not constitute professional advice. There is no guarantee about the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of the information found in the Multimedia. This information is provided without warranty of any kind, and the University of Alberta, its agents, employees, and students disclaim responsibility to any party for any loss or damage of any kind that may arise directly or indirectly as a result of the use of or reliance on the information contained in the Multimedia.

These resources may not be modified, reproduced or distributed without prior written consent of ECHO Research. Contact shannon.scott@ualberta.ca.