Urinary tract infections can be easily identified and treated.
If your child has been dry at night for more than six consecutive months and has started wetting the bed again, it could be due to a urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI can cause frequent urination, even when the bladder isn't full, and lead to bedwetting in young children. Regarding bedwetting, UTIs are primarily associated with secondary bedwetting (where the child was dry but has started wetting the bed again), as opposed to primary bedwetting (where the child has always wet the bed).
Urinary tract infections are usually not serious – they can be treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection
There are several telltale signs if you suspect your child has a urinary tract infection. The best way to confirm is to have a urine test done by a doctor, but you can also check for the following symptoms:
- Pain or burning sensation during urination
- Frequent and urgent need to urinate, even if nothing comes out
- Foul odor of urine
- Cloudy urine
- Blood in the urine
- Abdominal pain
- Lower back pain
- Pressure in the lower pelvis
- Fever
- Nocturnal enuresis (if the child had already remained dry for at least six consecutive months)
Note that a child does not need to have all of these symptoms to have a urinary tract infection.
Types of Urinary Tract Infections
The urinary tract consists of the bladder, kidneys, and urethra. The specific type of urinary tract infection will depend on the location of the infection.
- Cystitis: Bladder infection
- Pyelonephritis: Kidney infection
- Urethritis: Infection of the urethra
Cystitis and urethritis are classified as lower urinary tract infections, while pyelonephritis is considered an upper urinary tract infection. Upper urinary tract infections can cause more serious kidney problems, but the risk is low, especially if treatment is started early.
Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections
In most cases, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are treated simply with antibiotics. People who suffer from them should see an improvement in their symptoms as soon as they start taking antibiotics. Before the antibiotics take effect, it is recommended to drink plenty of water, which can help flush out bacteria in the urinary tract. Antibiotic treatments for lower urinary tract infections are usually quite short (3 to 5 days), unlike those for upper urinary tract infections (7 to 10 days).
What Causes Urinary Tract Infections?
Most urinary tract infections (UTIs) in children are caused by bacteria entering the urethra. This is more common in girls because their urethra is shorter and more exposed to bacteria from the rectum. An infection can also occur when soiled toilet paper comes into contact with the genitals. Other causes of UTIs in children include dehydration, constipation, or any obstruction to the normal flow of urine. In sexually active individuals, UTIs can occur when bacteria are transmitted during sexual intercourse.
Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections
After dealing with a urinary tract infection (UTI), it's understandable that you never want your child to experience one again. There are no guarantees, but there are some things you can do to help prevent UTIs from recurring.
- Encourage girls to dry themselves from front to back when using the bathroom.
- Encourage boys to regularly clean the area around their foreskin
- Make sure your child drinks plenty of water and doesn't become dehydrated.
- Keep track of your child's bowel movements and treat constipation if it occurs.
- Buy comfortable cotton underwear for your child rather than tight-fitting underwear made of synthetic materials.
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