Treatment:

In children, UTIs should be treated quickly with antibiotics to protect the kidneys. Any child under 6 months old or who has other complications should see a specialist right away.

Younger infants will usually stay in the hospital and be given antibiotics through a vein. Older infants and children are treated with antibiotics by mouth. If this is not possible, they are admitted to the hospital where they are given antibiotics through a vein.

It is important that your child drink plenty of fluids while they have a urinary tract infection.

Some children may be treated with antibiotics for long periods of time (as long as 6 months - 2 years). This treatment is more likely when the child has had repeat infections or a condition called vesicoureteral reflux, which causes urine to flow back up into the ureters and kidneys.

The health care provider may also recommend low-dose antibiotics after the first symptoms have gone away. This type of treatment is less common now than it once was.

Antibiotics commonly used in children include:

• Amoxicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (Augmentin)
• Cephalosporins
• Doxycycline (should not be used in children under age 8)
• Nitrofurantoin
• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

Follow-up urine cultures may be needed to make sure that bacteria are no longer in the bladder.

Expectations (prognosis):

Most children are cured with proper treatment. The treatment may continue over a long period of time.

Long-term problems from repeated UTIs in children can be serious. However, these infections can usually be prevented.

Complications:

• High blood pressure
• Kidney abscess
• Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
• Renal insufficiency or kidney failure
• Swelling of the kidneys (hydronephrosis)

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if your child's UTI symptoms continue after treatment or come back more than twice in 6 months.

Call your health care provider if the child's symptoms get worse, or new symptoms develop, especially:

• Back pain or flank pain
• Bad-smelling, bloody, or discolored urine
• Fever of 100.4°Fahrenheit (38°Celsius) rectally in infants, or over 101°Fahrenheit (38.3°Celsius) in children
• Low-back pain or abdominal pain (especially below the belly button)
• Persistent fever
• Unusually frequent urination or frequent urination during the night
• Vomiting