Index
Urinary tract infection in babies is a very recurrent problem and in most cases it is not very easy to be noticed, due to the “masked” symptoms. But any perceived signs should be sought out by a pediatrician immediately.
Main Causes of Urinary Infection in Babies
Urinary tract infections in babies can be caused by several factors, among them the main ones are: urinary incontinence, difficulty urinating, phimosis (in the case of boys), after dehydration and even in cases of urinary reflux.
Urinary tract infections in babies should be taken seriously and treated immediately. The lack of proper treatment can lead to serious health problems, including affecting kidney health.
Symptoms of Urinary Infection in Babies
Babies still cannot speak and cannot express by pointing out what they are feeling, so it is natural that the symptoms are evidenced through signs or form that act during the day.
The first very common symptom of urinary tract infection in babies is rejection to feed. Food refusal usually occurs due to irritability of pain or discomfort caused by the infection.
Other symptoms that should be noted are:
- Urine with darker color than normal;
- Strong-smelling urine;
- Crying or restlessness every time you pee;
- Lack of appetite;
- Irritability;
- High fever.
Diagnosis of Urinary Infection in Babies
The only means of diagnosing urinary tract infection in babies is by analyzing the urine . As babies use diapers, it can seem a little complicated to collect, isn’t it? But thanks to the evolution of the laboratories, today it is possible to do the collection in a simple way and only count on the baby’s help to be done very quickly.
Laboratories with child collection offer a kind of plastic collection bag that has a “glue” that must be applied to the genital region. Normally, as the test is requested for the first urine of the day, the sachet should be placed on the baby in the last diaper of the night.
It is in the first urine that the highest concentration of microorganisms responsible for the infection is found, which will allow medical analysis and the indication of the appropriate treatment, which will be fundamental for the agile treatment.
How to Avoid Urinary Infection in Babies
Urinary tract infection in babies is very common, since due to the “stuffiness” of the diaper, many microorganisms can proliferate. However, some precautions must be taken to prevent it from occurring.
Simple care such as not leaving the baby for many hours with the same diaper, and always sanitize the genitals properly with each diaper change . The use of baby wipes or cotton and warm water is essential for every diaper change , remembering to clean each fold and in the case of girls, open the vagina well to clean it.
Avoid changing diapers in environments with poor hygiene and even in public changing rooms. A good option is to use a foldable bag changer that can be placed wherever necessary wherever you are and that must be sanitized with alcohol whenever you get home.
Another important factor to prevent urinary tract infection in babies, is the hygiene of the bathtubs. Even though the bathtub is the object of daily hygiene, it also gathers germs and bacteria can proliferate, which can be responsible for urinary infections in babies.
Ideally, the bathtub should be cleaned daily or at least every 2 days, always washed and cleaned with alcohol to fight germs.
Breastfeeding Helps Prevent Infections
It may seem a little out of context, but yes, breastfeeding is so important that it is worth mentioning that it also helps in preventing urinary tract infection and other infections. Studies have already shown that breast milk, if kept until at least 7 months of the baby’s life, protects against infections including urinary tract infections, and the protection extends throughout the child’s life.
Breastfeeding Helps Prevent Infections
It may seem a little out of context, but yes, breastfeeding is so important that it is worth mentioning that it also helps in preventing urinary tract infection and other infections. Studies have already shown that breast milk, if kept until at least 7 months of the baby’s life, protects against infections including urinary tract infections , and the protection extends throughout the child’s life.
Genital Hygiene in Girls
We always hear that the hygiene of girls is more intense, and it is a great truth! The female genitalia has folds and several areas that must be opened carefully to be cleaned.
When they are little babies, the stools that are still liquid or pasty may come into contact with the vagina and therefore must be thoroughly cleaned at each diaper change, preventing fecal residues from being hidden in each corner.
The ideal is that the hygiene of the vagina always occurs from the front to the back, preventing the handkerchief from being contaminated by the butt and passing through the vagina. With this care you will be reducing the chances of your daughter suffering from urinary infections.
If you are seeing signs described here on your baby, seek immediate attention immediately. The sooner you treat the infection, the less suffering your baby will have to urinate or the discomfort caused by the problem.
Treatment for Urinary Infection in Babies
Usually the treatment for urinary tract infections in babies is done orally. After performing the urine and blood test if the pediatrician thinks it is necessary, the ideal antibiotic will be indicated. Drinking plenty of water also helps in the treatment.
Even though the baby looks better in the first few days, the antibiotic should not be stopped. Treatment should be done in the number of days indicated by the pediatrician, without interruption.
If the treatment is stopped ahead of time, the urinary infection may return even more strongly and a new treatment will need to be started from the beginning. In some cases that the infection is very high, the pediatrician may indicate the baby’s hospitalization so that the treatment is carried out through the vein and has a faster efficacy.
In the case of urinary infections in babies up to 3 months, hospitalization is a medical practice, aiming at a more agile treatment, due to the baby’s low immunity and the rapid response of intravenous medications.
Treatment Durability
The treatment of urinary tract infection in infants is done with antibiotics and can last for 7, 10, 14 or even 21 days , depending on the type of infection detected in the exam. During the treatment phase, offer the baby plenty of water and change the diaper several times a day, preventing the pee from accumulating for a long time.
The treatment is simple and if done correctly it will resolve in a few days. Be sure to see a pediatrician or emergency room when you notice any of the symptoms described above.
See also: Laryngitis – Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
