Pediatric kidney infection is a common condition in children, which is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI). When bacteria infect a part of the urinary system, you can suffer from a kidney infection. Initially, it affects your child’s lower part of the urinary tract, usually the bladder. Then, the infection proceeds upstream to one or both the kidneys, which is part of the upper urinary tract.

Causes

The issue of kidney stone among kids is often detected at the time when children are trained to go to the toilet on their own, roughly at the age of 2 to 3.

• Any hindrance in the urinary tract which is most often present at the time of birth, and it allows urine to flow back up into the uterus and kidneys. Circumcised boys pose a greater risk of having this problem.
• Improper cleaning of the anus in girls can bring bacteria to the area where the urine comes out.
• Bubble baths or tight-fitting clothes are also a cause, especially among girls.
• Any illnesses affecting the nervous system or brain injury in the spinal cord or hydrocephalus can affect the bladder.
• Not urinating enough during the day can also be another primary cause of kidney infection among kids.

Symptoms

Young children may only have general signs of an infection. However, you should spot the symptoms of kidney infections like bad-smelling and cloudy urine, sharp pains in the back side and lower abdomen, a sharp pain while urinating or when your child is unable to urinate in proper form or scanty urination.

Prevention

There are a few things that parents can do to avoid this infection attacking their kids. For example, habits like changing diapers on a daily basis and using toilet wipes, cleaning the genital areas from front to back and teach the kids to do the same as well, increasing your child’s fluids intake, especially water, and ensuring that your child wears loose-fitted or comfortable clothes.

Although kidney infection among children is a common phenomenon, with proper care, it can be prevented. Hence, if the symptoms are observed, it is essential to seek medical help. The condition is treated with prescribed antibiotics.