Baby Urinary tract infections also called UTIs are actually more common than you might think in infants. How can you tell if your baby has a UTI, and what should you do about it?
What Is a Baby Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
Babies can suffer from UTI's just like adults do, and often the only clear symptom is that your child runs a fever. Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria that builds up in the uretha. While oftentimes adults feel the discomfort of having to urinate frequently, babies may only show signs of this infection through fever.
Symptoms of UTI's
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics the most common symptom associated with UTI's in babies is fever. If you are aware of what to look for, however, you may be able to distinguish a few of the following symptoms, also.
- Check the odor of your baby's urine. If it has a bitter or foul smell, that may indicate a UTI.
- If you notice any blood in your baby's diaper, this probably indicates a UTI.
- If your baby cries for no apparent reason and may be running a fever, she could have developed a urinary tract infection.
- If she is has a poor appetite and/or is vomiting, she may have a urinary tract infection.
If you suspect that your baby has an infection, contact your doctor.
Treatment of UTI's in Babies
Your doctor will probably want to collect a urine sample, and the most sterile way to do this is through a catheter inserted into your baby's uretha. While this will only take a few minutes, your baby will not like it, so give her extra love and attention! Don't worry. The procedure isn't dangerous, but it will probably be necessary.
It may take a couple of days to get the results of the urine test back, which can cause additional discomfort for your baby and worry for you. However, if your doctor strongly suspects that your child has a UTI, he may go ahead and begin treating him with antibiotics. Be sure you give your baby all of the antibiotic, even if he appears to be well! You don't want the infection to rear its ugly head again!
Prevention of UTI's
While you may not be able to completely eliminate the risk of your baby contracting a UTI, you can help lessen his chances by wiping him from the front to the back when you change his diapers. This is especially true when changing baby girls. Still, even with proper care, your baby could contract a UTI. With help from your doctor and lots of extra TLC from you, however, your baby should bounce back in no time!
