Urinary Tract Infection

Infections anywhere along the urinary tract - urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys

Aetiology

  • More common in girls
  • Consider abnormal renal tract in children with repeat UTIs

Clinical presentation

Babies will present with very non-specific symptoms:
  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Irritability
  • Vomiting
  • Poor feeding
  • Increased urinary frequency
Signs and symptoms in older infants and children are more specific:
  • Fever
  • Abdominal pain, particularly suprapubic pain
  • Vomiting
  • Dysuria (painful urination)
  • Increased urinary frequency
  • Incontinence

Investigations

  • Urine clean catch sample with microbiology

Management

  • All children under 3 months with a fever should start immediate IV antibiotics
  • Oral antibiotics can be considered in children over 3 months if they are otherwise well
  • Children with features of sepsis or pyelonephritis (infection affecting kidney function) will require inpatient treatment with IV antibiotics