Urinary tract infections in children - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children. Symptoms and signs may be nonspecific, particularly in neonates and infants. Older children may have dysuria, urgency, or frequency with a lower urinary tract infection, or fever, loin or back pain, and vomiting with upper UTI (pyelonephritis).
An appropriately obtained urine specimen can confirm the diagnosis and pathogen; urine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing will define the appropriate antibiotic for treatment.
Anatomic and functional abnormalities of the urinary tract and bowel may predispose children to recurrent UTIs. Further evaluation of children with recurrent UTIs is required to identify any treatable underlying cause. Recurrent UTIs may lead to renal scarring and renal insufficiency.

Fluoroscopic image showing high-grade vesicoureteral reflux

From the collection of Dr Mary Anne Jackson

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History & Exam
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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Images

Fluoroscopic image showing high-grade vesicoureteral reflux

Citations

Key Articles

European Association of Urology. Guidelines on paediatric urology. 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Urinary tract infection in under 16s: diagnosis and management. Jul 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Mattoo TK, Shaikh N, Nelson CP. Contemporary management of urinary tract infection in children. Pediatrics. 2021 Feb;147(2):e2020012138.[Abstract][Full Text]
American College of Radiology. ACR appropriateness criteria: urinary tract infection - child. 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Peters CA, Skoog SJ, Arant BS Jr, et al; American Urological Association. Management and screening of primary vesicoureteral reflux in children: AUA guideline. 2017 [internet publication].[Full Text]

Referenced Articles

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