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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infections in children. They cause a lot of pain and discomfort to the child and, in extreme cases, can lead to kidney damage. Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria enter the bladder or kidneys. According to Dr. James Edward Kakugulu, general practitioner of the Lifemate Medical and Diagnostic Center, there are many causes of urinary tract infections, but the most common is Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, which causes up to 80 % of infections. "E.Coli is a normal flora in the gastrointestinal tract, but when it pbades through the urinary system, it causes a urinary tract infection," says Dr. Kakungulu
Symptoms
Dr. Edward Mugisha, a pediatrician, says a baby with a urinary tract infection may have a fever, experience vomiting or be difficult. Older children may have a fever, feel the urge to urinate frequently, do not control the urine, feel pain when they urinate, have a whitish or colorless discharge, have pain lower back, back pain, headaches and sometimes diarrhea.
"Most urinary tract infections occur in the lower part of the urinary tract, but sometimes an infection can move up the ureters to the kidneys.This infection, called pyelonephritis, is usually more serious. air more sick and will have more fever, side or back pain, fatigue and severe vomiting, "adds Dr. Mugisha
Dr. Kakyngulu says girls have an increased risk of infections urinary than boys because of their anatomy. "The opening to the urinary tract, known as the urethral opening, is close to the opening of the anus and bad, where many live E. coli bacteria. And it is shorter in girls (1.5 inches) compared to eight inches in men, making it more likely that bacteria enter the bladder for girls, "he explains.
A bad Hygiene is one of the leading causes of urinary tract infections. "E.coli collects in dirty toilets, jars, diapers and panties from which they spread easily," explains Dr. Kakungulu He further identifies malnutrition that compromises the immune system, thereby decreasing the body's ability to fight bacteria.
Lifestyle
Dr. Mugisha says other lifestyle choices such as l & rsquo; Use of soap to wash the bad which alters its pH contribute to the risk of infection. Prolonged exposure of antibiotics can also cause an infection as it rids the body of any bacteria, good or bad, which makes it vulnerable to infection.
"Girls are at an even greater risk of urinary tract infection and recurrence, because bacteria may be more likely to congregate in the walls of their bladder and be particularly difficult to treat and repair.
Prevention
Since most urinary tract infections are caused by poor hygiene, washing and disinfecting toilets and pottery for children will greatly contribute to prevention.
"In infants and all – small, frequent changes can prevent the spread of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections.The girls should know how to wipe from the front to the back, not from the back to the front to avoid that germs do not spread from the rectum to the urethra, "says Dr. Kakungulu.
The breeches should be changed regularly or, preferably, buy new ones every six Dr. Kakungulu advises that all panties should be eliminated when a child receives a urinary tract infection and replaced by new ones. "The panties should also be washed and sun dried because the sun helps kill bacteria.Eating a balanced diet and badfeeding babies for at least two years is essential to boost the body's immunity, giving him a chance to fight infections, "he says.
Treatment
Dr. Kakungulu says urinary tract infections are easy to treat, but it's important to catch them early. diagnosed or untreated can cause kidney damage.To diagnose urinary tract infection, laboratory tests should be performed, including urinary badysis to determine the presence of protein in the urine, pH increase, leukocyte esterase and white blood cells to evaluate for infection. "Knowing which bacteria cause the infection can help in choosing the best treatment," he says.
Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics. According to Dr. Mugisha, although amoxicillin has traditionally been a first-line antibiotic, increasing rates of E. coli resistance has made it a less acceptable choice and studies have shown cure rates higher with trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra). Other choices include amoxicillin / clavulanate (Augmentin) or cephalosporins, such as cefixime (Suprax), cefpodoxime, cefprozil (Cefzil) or cephalexin (Keflex).
"The drug usually lasts seven days after which tests can be repeated to confirm that the infection has disappeared.This is important because an incompletely treated urinary tract infection can come back or spread," adds he added, adding that diagnosis and treatment can only be done by a doctor.
According to Dr. Mugisha, hospital so that they can get antibiotics by injection or administered intravenously through a vein directly into the bloodstream. He concludes by saying that a parent must take his child to a doctor when they notice symptoms so that a diagnosis can be confirmed and treatment can begin
Other Risk Factors
Dr. Edward Mugisha, pediatrician, other risk factors for urinary tract infection include:
• A malformed kidney or blockage somewhere along the path of normal urine flow.
• Abnormal reflux (reflux) of urine from the bladder up the ureters and towards the kidneys. This is known as vesicoureteral reflux (RVU), and many children with urinary tract infections are found.
• Uncircumcised infants appear to be at increased risk of urinary tract infections in the first three months of life. In a study of 100 healthy infants aged five days to eight months and admitted to the hospital due to a known first urinary tract infection, most urinary tract infections in infants under three months of age were male, but infants predominated later.
• Babies can be born with a wide range of urologic irregularities that ultimately lead to an easy contraction of the infection.
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