HealthInfo Canterbury
Urine infection (UTI) in children
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are an infection in your wee (urine).
They can affect any part of your urinary tract, but usually start in your bladder. They are usually caused by germs (bacteria) that enter the urinary tract, through the tube that carries wee from your bladder out of your body (urethra).
UTIs are common in tamariki (children). While they're not usually serious, it's important to diagnose and treat them quickly to reduce the risk of complications.
Symptoms of a UTI in children
It can be hard to tell if your tamaiti (child) has a UTI as symptoms can be vague and children may have difficulty communicating how they feel. Common symptoms include:
- pain or burning feeling when weeing
- needing to wee more often than usual
- needing to wee during the night
- bedwetting, if previously dry
- wetting during the day when previously dry
- smelly wee
- cloudy wee
- blood in the wee
- pain in the lower part of the tummy, side or lower back
- feeling generally unwell often with loss of appetite
Diagnosing a UTI in children
The GP will usually ask questions about the symptoms your tamaiti child has, examine them and ask for a sample of wee to test.
Treating UTIs in children
Most UTIs in tamariki children can be treated with antibiotics. Treatment is usually for 5 days or longer.
It's very important to finish the whole course of antibiotics to prevent the infection coming back.
Your doctor may refer your tamaiti to a specialist in children’s health (paediatrician) if they are very unwell, need further tests or they don’t respond to treatment.
Getting help for your child with a UTI
If you think your tamaiti could have a UTI, contact your GP as soon as possible.
Go back to the GP if your tamaiti isn't showing any signs of improvement within a day or two after starting antibiotics.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- KidsHealth – Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Information about what a UTI is, symptoms you might see, and what needs to be done if your child has a UTI.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed January 2022.
Sources
Review key: HIUTC-12626
