Causes and symptoms of urinary tract infections in children

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Minh Tuan - Pediatrician - Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
Urinary tract infections can cause serious complications such as septicemia, infection causing necrosis of the renal tubules, pyelonephritis, perinephritis, interstitial nephritis, vesicoureteral reflux silently causing kidney failure, ... Young children who are not properly cleaned, have some health problems related to the urinary tract, which can easily lead to inflammation.

1. Causes of urinary tract infections in children

1.1 Root cause (root cause) Urinary tract infection caused by bacteria, fungi, parasites or viruses. At the top is the bacteria E.coli. Besides, there are other types of bacteria such as Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococci,... These bacteria exist in human feces, in living environment (in soil, dust, water and air, food, etc.) vegetables, fruits...) somehow they come to reside around the anus and then follow the urethra to the bladder causing infection for the baby.
From the cause of the disease, it is shown that the polluted living environment, improper hygiene and care for children can increase the risk of urinary tract infections. Specifically, the situation of children not wearing pants or pants with holes, playing on the ground, using diapers incorrectly (forgot to change diapers, choosing diapers that are not dry for baby's skin...), children do not wash their hands After going to the toilet, ... are all jobs that create conditions for bacteria to reside and cause disease.

1.2 Factors that increase the risk of illness Children under 2 years of age have an immature immune system Having urinary tract diseases: Some diseases such as bladder stones, ... make the child's urine not stored. good ventilation, causing stagnation of urine accounts for 70% of infections. Narrowing of the urinary tract: Narrowing of the foreskin; Narrowing of the ureteropelvic junction causing urine stagnation Congenital urinary tract malformations Neurogenic bladder: A condition in which the bladder is enlarged, has a loss of contractile tone, or a dystonia that cannot expel water completely. urinating after each urinating. Decreased resistance: Influenza virus infections, skin infections, respiratory tract infections, diarrhea with severe dehydration increase the risk of urinary tract diseases 1.3 Due to anatomical features In girls, the physiological structure is The urethra is short, the urinary opening is close to the anus, so it is easy to be infected by microorganisms from the feces. Girls have a shorter urinary tract and are closer to the anus than boys, making it easier for bacteria to get in.
In contrast, boys are less prone to urinary tract infections due to the long urethral structure, the entrance is far from the anus. Babies are more susceptible to diseases when they have problems with the foreskin such as narrowing causing urinary tract obstruction, ie internal bacterial infections.

2. Signs of a urinary tract infection in children

Urinating disorders: Difficulty in urination, painful urination, frequent urination, straining when urinating, children urinating a lot at night, urine is cloudy (sometimes children urinate all white pus), many sediments, bad smell or stronger than usual. Therefore, many children may scream when urinating, and their hands have a foul odor from touching the penis and vulva. Mild fever or high fever: Lower urinary tract infection (cystitis) usually has no fever or is mild. In contrast, upper urinary tract infections (pyelonephritis) often have a high fever continuously above 39 degrees Celsius, which is difficult to lower, the temperature can only be lowered with appropriate antibiotic treatment. Gastrointestinal disorders: The child may have vomiting or diarrhea. Children may be anorexic, poor at playing, or fussy.

3. How to prevent urinary tract infections for children?

Proper hygiene for children (do not wipe from back to front for girls), regularly check and change diapers immediately after going to the toilet Encourage children to drink lots of water, eat hygienic food with different types of food. Vegetables and fruits to increase the amount of water make the child's urinary system better and help remove bacteria from the urinary tract, avoiding the risk of constipation. Eat enough nutrients and vitamins to improve children's resistance. Teach children to go to the toilet as soon as they have to urinate, not to hold their urine or drink water Instructing children on how to go to the toilet clean As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health system, Pediatrics always brings satisfaction to customers Products and is highly appreciated by experts in the industry with:
Gathering a team of leading doctors and nurses in Pediatrics: including leading experts, with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctors). , masters), rich experience, worked in big hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. The doctors are well-trained, professional, have a heart - reach, understand young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment. Master. Doctor. Nguyen Minh Tuan has over 27 years of experience in the field of Pediatrics. Doctor was former Deputy Department of Pediatrics - Da Nang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital before working as a Pediatrician at the Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital as it is today.

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