Urinary Tract Infections in Children

Reference Urinary tract infections (UTIs) Opens New Window in children may not cause obvious urinary symptoms. Symptoms of a UTI in an infant or young child may include:

• Fever. This may be the only symptom in infants.
• Irritability.
• Lack of appetite.
• Reference Failure to gain weight or develop normally.
• Foul-smelling urine.
• Crying during urination.
• Vomiting or diarrhea.

In an older child with a UTI, symptoms are usually easier to recognize and may include:

• Pain or burning when urinating.
• Urge to urinate frequently but usually passing only small amounts of urine.
• Loss of bladder control, new Reference bed-wetting Opens New Window, or other changes in urination habits.
• Pain in the lower abdomen.
• Reddish, pinkish, or cloudy urine.
• Foul-smelling urine.
• Reference Pain in the flank Opens New Window, which is felt just below the rib cage and above the waist on one or both sides of the back.

A doctor's evaluation can determine whether a UTI or another condition is causing your child's symptoms.

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