Newborn Urinary Tract Infections

Even newborn babies can be at risk for a urinary tract infection. It is important to try to prevent them, and to learn to recognize the signs early on. Here are some tips to help keep your little one happy and healthy.

  1. Causes

    • A urinary tract infection (UTI) is caused by foreign bacteria getting into the bladder, or more often in newborns, from bacteria entering the bloodstream. Typically, girls are more prone to UTIs than boys, but with newborns it is actually the opposite.

    Symptoms

    • The most common sign of a UTI is painful urination, but of course a newborn won't be able to tell you that. You may see signs of discomfort, but most parents will assume it is being caused by something else. Symptoms to watch for include a decrease in appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, blood in the diaper and sometimes jaundice. A fever is common, but does not happen for every newborn.

    Diagnosis

    • To diagnose a UTI, a urine sample is needed. Your child's doctor will carefully remove a urine sample himself to ensure it is an uncontaminated sample. The urine is then cultured for certain bacteria.

    Treatment

    • If the testing shows that the baby does indeed have a UTI, treatment should begin immediately. Most older children will be administered antibiotics, but an infection in a newborn is very serious. The newborn will likely need to be given intravenous antibiotics in the hospital.

    Prevention

    • For most newborns, recurring UTIs are not common. Prevention will include keeping the genitals clean. Some newborns get a UTI because of a structural issue. Your doctor will determine if there is an issue, and what must be done about it.

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