Urinary Tract Infection (Children)

Antibiotics are used in the treatment of UTI. Oral antibiotics are used for older children who are generally well. For young infants and older children who are unwell, they are admitted to hospital for intravenous (injection) antibiotic treatment.

Intravenous antibiotics are then converted to oral antibiotics when the fever has settled for 24hrs with improvement of clinical condition. The choice of antibiotics is based on the urine culture results.

The whole course of treatment for UTI usually lasts 10 days. For young infants, antibiotics at a low dose once nightly (prophylactic or preventive antibiotics) may be continued till further tests are completed.

What happens after an episode of UTI

Children with UTI will require regular reviews with the doctor after discharge. Imaging studies of the urinary tract are also necessary to access if there are any underlying abnormalities. The tests may include an ultrasound of the urinary tract, a nuclear kidney scan (DMSA scan) and a micturating cyctourethrogram (MCU).

Care at Home

Remember to complete the full course of antibiotics after discharge. Some children may need to continue treatment with a small nightly dose of antibiotic to prevent recurrent UTI while waiting to have further tests done. This small dose of antibiotic is safe and will have no long-term adverse effect on the child’s health.

There is a possibility that the child might get another UTI even if the child is on a small dose of preventive antibiotic. If the child develops any symptom suggestive of UTI or is unwell with a fever with no other obvious cause, please bring the child to the doctor for a urine test.

Good hygiene practices, avoiding constipation, regular bladder emptying and adequate fluid intake are some measures that may help deter another UTI.

Most children make very good recovery after a UTI and have no further problems. In a very small group of patients, there may be kidney problems or high blood pressure, which required long-term monitoring and follow-up with the paediatrician.