Swedish Consulate – Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can affect infants younger than three months. The symptoms may differ from those observed in older children. In infants under three months, signs of a possible UTI may include the presence of blood in the urine, a condition known as hematuria. Other indicators that may suggest a UTI include:
“Typically, an infant under three months with a UTI might present with fever, vomiting, lethargy, decreased feeding, poor weight gain during doctor visits, jaundice, or urine with an unusual odor,” explains Dr. Ina Zarlina Sp.A(K), a pediatric nephrology consultant at Rumah Sakit Anak dan Bunda Harapan Kita.
Common Symptoms of UTIs in Children Aged 3 Months to 3 Years
For children aged three months to three years, the most common symptom is a fever exceeding 38.5 degrees Celsius without an obvious cause. Additional symptoms might include pain during urination and incomplete bladder emptying.
Other symptoms that may accompany a UTI include abdominal pain, vomiting, and discomfort in the genital area. Unfortunately, these initial symptoms are often misdiagnosed because collecting urine samples can be challenging. And symptoms may be mistakenly attributed to diarrhea.
Dr. Ina also highlights that for younger infants, it is important to consider other factors that could indicate atypical or complex UTIs to determine the appropriate diagnostic methods.
“In infants born with congenital anomalies that pose a risk of anatomical abnormalities, we typically recommend a urine culture test. These anatomical abnormalities can arise during fetal development, and their causes are still not fully understood.” Dr. Ina states, citing Antara.
According to Dr. Ina, for children under 24 months who present with a fever. The likelihood of having a UTI is approximately 3 to 5 percent. For girls under one year, the incidence of UTIs is about 7 percent. Whereas for boys, it is around 3 percent.
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Treatment for UTIs in Children
Dr. Ina notes that the treatment for Urinary tract infections in infants typically involves a course of oral antibiotics lasting about two to four days. Which may sometimes be administered via intravenous or injection to prevent the infection from reaching the kidneys.
For infants aged six months to three years with atypical UTIs and anatomical abnormalities, an ultrasound should be performed if the infection does not improve after 48 hours of treatment.
“Antibiotics used in treatment can be either therapeutic, aimed at addressing the infection, or preventive. Long-term use of low doses may be necessary, but there is a risk of resistance,” Dr. Ina advises.
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