- Symptoms of urinary tract infection at baby
- Treatment of urinary tract infection in a baby
- How to prevent urinary tract infection
The baby's urinary tract infection can appear right from the first days of life and it is sometimes not very easy to notice its symptoms, especially as the baby cannot express his discomfort. However, there are some signs to watch out for that may lead parents to suspect a urinary tract infection.
Whenever a urinary infection is suspected, it is important to consult your pediatrician to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible, avoiding more serious complications such as problems with kidney function.
Symptoms of urinary tract infection at baby
In babies under 5 months of age the most common symptom is a refusal to eat due to irritability. The baby may cry hungry, but refusing to suck or push the bottle are other signs, for example.
Other signs to watch out for include:
- The baby cries or complains when he pees; Urine darker than normal; Urine with a very strong smell; Lack of appetite; Irritability.
Sometimes the baby with a urinary tract infection may have only a fever or, in some cases, may have all other symptoms except fever.
The diagnosis of urinary infection in a baby is made by collecting urine. When he still wears a diaper, a kind of bag is placed for the collection of urine glued to the genital region and waits until the baby pees. This urine test can also detect which microorganism is involved, being essential for proper treatment.
Treatment of urinary tract infection in a baby
The treatment of urinary tract infection in the baby is done with the ingestion of antibiotic syrups for 7, 10, 14 or 21 days, depending on the microorganism involved. It is important that parents give the medicine to the baby until the last day, according to the pediatrician's guidance, so that the urinary infection does not come back.
During this phase, it is also recommended to offer plenty of fluids for the baby and change the diaper several times a day to prevent the baby from having a dirty diaper for a long time, which facilitates the entry of new microorganisms in the urinary tract.
Depending on the microorganism involved, the baby may have to be admitted to the hospital to receive the antibiotic through the vein. Babies younger than 1 month usually stay in hospital to receive proper treatment and maintain more regular surveillance.
How to prevent urinary tract infection
The prevention of urinary tract infections in infants includes some relatively simple measures such as:
- Keep the baby always clean and dry; Hygiene the baby's intimate area with a cotton swab with water or saline solution; Avoid wet wipes; Clean the girls' intimate area always in the front to back direction to prevent microorganisms from the anal region reach the genital region.
Another important tip is to always keep the changing table very clean, cleaning it with alcohol after each diaper change and taking the same care with the baby's bathtub.
