Definition of urinary tract infection (UTI) is the growth of a significant number of organisms of single species in a urine sample along with Symptoms. ( First aid for urinary pain in children. )
Types of UTI
Simple UTI: mild fever, irritable, Pain during urination, increased frequency and urgency
Complicated UTI: High grade fever, vomiting, stomache, dehydration and toxic looking child
Common Symptoms of UTI
Symptoms present less often are: heamturia, voiding issues, bed wetting, failure to thrive may also be present
- Risk factors: Girl child, poor hygiene, Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), Voiding dysfunction, obstruction in the urinary tract
- Urine collection: Midstream clean catch sample gives a most accurate report in home settings
- Urine routine, microscopy s/o UTI: pus cells in the urine sample, along with positive nitrite and leucocyte esterase.
The gold standard test is urine culture. as its report takes around 48 hours to come, we can start antibiotics after sending urine sample for culture in consultation with doctor and wait for culture report for further plan of action.
Treatment
Plenty of fluids, oral antibiotics and other supportive care as advised by your doctor
Plan of action as per age ( preferably in consultation with pediatric nephrologist)
- Less than 1 years: Ultrasound, MCU, and DMSA scan
- 1-5 years of age: Ultrasound and DMSA, ( if DMSA is abnormal than MCU to be done)
- More than 5 years: Ultrasound only ( if abnormal further work up)
In high-risk cases, we might need prophylaxis to prevent repeated episodes of urinary infection.
By Dr. Rahul Verma
