Is peeing painful for your child? He urinates frequently and little? After cleaning, he “leaks” during the day and at night for a few days? Has anyone noticed his urine stinks? His condition may be cystitis. UTI: what to do? How to stop?

Cystitis?

Infections of the bladder are called cystitis.

We're dealing about a lower UTI, not pyelonephritis, which affects the kidneys. Cystitis always goes with urethritis.

Due to their shorter urethra, which opens at the vulva, close to the anus, in an environment rich in germs, girls are more likely to get cystitis after the first year, even without infection.

About 2% of neonates acquire UTIs. By age 6, 7% of girls and 2% of boys have had a UTI.

UTI suspicions: when?

Older children have adult clinical symptoms but no fever:

  • burning, pain when peeing, sometimes pain in the lower abdomen between urinations,
  • urgent and frequent urge to urinate for small urinations,
  • urine that is often cloudy and has an unusual odor, sometimes red because it may contain blood (hematuria),
  • pain when he pees, sometimes so much so that he may refuse to urinate and may retain urine.

Cystitis is uncommon than pyelonephritis in youngest children who have not yet learnt to use the toilet (see article) and harder to diagnose. Not feverish, but:

Issues may include stinky urine, pink nappies, urination pain, decreased appetite, or strange behaviour.

What should you do if your child has cystitis?

Pyelonephritis is a therapeutic emergency, whereas cystitis is not. However, this painful condition necessitates immediate treatment.

A chilly, freshly collected urine sample is preferable for the consultation. After a fast soap and water wash, cleaner children's urine is caught mid-stream. For younger children, sterile pharmacy bags can be used for collecting.

Using a urine test strip (Uritest or Uritop 2), the doctor checks for leukocytes and nitrites. DIY urine tests are possible if you have strips at home. The strips must be fresh and read after 2 minutes. Late reading compromises interpretation.

A negative strip means no cystitis. A laboratory urine culture is recommended if one or both strips are positive. The antibiotic sensitivity of a germ will be examined (antibiogram) to adjust treatment.

Urine tests (ECBU) must be done well. The tests can be false positive if the urine has not been collected in the lab or left at room temperature for several hours. Children risk being treated for nothing.

Use caution with multi-germ tests. Not a urinary infection, but pollution.

Causes of cystitis?

Escherichia coli* causes cystitis, but other germs can too.

Upper and lower urinary tract infections increase with bladder emptying discomfort. The perineum produces microorganisms that grow in bladder-stagnant urine. Cystitis, pyelonephritis, and other urinary system infections are the most aggressive.

A bladder does not empty entirely unless the rectum is not obstructed, causing constipation and cystitis.

Teenage ladies who refuse to use the lavatory in middle or high school, lack of fluids, vulvitis (frequently caused by pinworms or inadequate wiping technique), and bladder instability can induce cystitis.

Treating what?

Antibiotics will match the antibiogram. The average treatment lasts 5–8 days. To avoid recurrences, finish treatment even if symptoms disappear rapidly.

Promote frequent urination and fluid intake if early cystitis is detected. Concentrated cranberry drugs are available. If symptoms persist, see your child's doctor.

Do I need more tests?

Renal and bladder ultrasounds can be prescribed for children of any age with their first cystitis. Simple precautions at the initial cystitis are crucial if it recurs.

Write A Comment