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                    Bladder Infection (Urinary Tract Infection—UTI) in Children
                    Symptoms & Causes

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        Bladder Infection (Urinary Tract Infection—UTI) in Children
        Definition & Facts
                Symptoms & Causes
                Diagnosis
                Treatment
                Eating, Diet, & Nutrition
                Clinical TrialsSymptoms & Causes of Bladder Infection in Children
What are the symptoms of a bladder infection?
Don’t assume that you’ll know when your child has a bladder infection, even if you’ve had one yourself. Symptoms can be very different in children than in adults, especially for infants and preschoolers. If your child is not well, contact your child’s pediatrician or health clinic.
A mother comforting an unhappy baby.Fussiness or a general ill feeling can be symptoms of a bladder or kidney infection in a child younger than age 2.Young children
It’s not always obvious when an infant or child younger than age 2 has a bladder infection. Sometimes there are no symptoms. Or, your child may be too young to be able to explain what feels wrong. A urine test is the only way to know for certain whether your child has a bladder or kidney infection.
When a young child has symptoms of a UTI, they may include
fever, which may be the only sign
    vomiting or diarrhea
    irritability or fussiness
    poor feeding or appetite; poor weight gainOlder children
Symptoms of a bladder or kidney infection in a child ages 2 and older can include
pain or burning when urinating
    cloudy, dark, bloody, or foul-smelling urine
    frequent or intense urges to urinate
    pain in the lower belly area or back
    fever
    wetting after a child has been toilet trainedSeek care right away
If you think your child has a bladder infection, take him or her to a health care professional within 24 hours. A child who has a high fever and is sick for more than a day without a runny nose, earache, or other obvious cause should also be checked for a bladder infection. Quick treatment is important to prevent the infection from getting more dangerous.
What causes a bladder infection?
Most often a bladder infection is caused by bacteria that are normally found in the bowel. The bladder has several systems to prevent infection. For example, urinating most often flushes out bacteria before it reaches the bladder. Sometimes, your child’s body can’t fight the bacteria and the bacteria cause an infection. Certain health conditions can put children at risk for bladder infections.        Last Reviewed April 2017
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                This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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Saul P. Greenfield, MD, FAAP, FACS, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine; Jeffrey M. Saland, MD, MSCR, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai Contact Us
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