Symptoms of a UTI in infants, babies and toddlers include:
Symptoms of a UTI in older kids include:
Symptoms of a UTI are the same in both boys and girls.
Bacteria cause most UTIs in kids VSports注册入口. E. coli bacteria are the most common cause. They live in your digestive tract and can get into your urinary tract through your poop. This can happen if you don’t wipe properly after pooping. Sometimes, fungal infections can cause UTIs in kids, too, but they’re less common.
Advertisement
Your child might be at higher risk for a UTI if they:
Female children are more likely than males to get UTIs because their urethras (the tube that carries pee out of their bodies) are shorter and closer to their anuses (where poop leaves their bodies). This means it’s easier for bacteria to get into the urinary tract and cause an infection VSports在线直播.
Boys are less likely to get UTIs than girls, but they can get them, too, especially if they have anatomical differences that cause pee to back up. Uncircumcised boys are at a slightly higher risk for UTIs than circumcised boys V体育2025版.
If left untreated, UTIs can lead to:
A healthcare provider can diagnose a UTI by asking about your child’s symptoms and getting a sample of their pee for a urinalysis or urine culture. They may also get blood tests to look for infections and test kidney function VSports. In some cases, they’ll use imaging (like ultrasound or CT scans) to look at your child’s kidneys or bladder.
Antibiotics treat UTIs in kids. A provider will give them to your child through an IV (through a vein in their arm) or your child will take them by mouth (as a pill or liquid).
Your child will need to be on antibiotics for a week or two, in most cases. But they should start to feel better within a couple of days. Make sure they take the entire course of medication as prescribed, even if they feel better.
Contact your child’s healthcare provider if you think your child has a UTI, or if they’ve been taking antibiotics as prescribed for three days and aren’t getting better. Take your child to the emergency room if they:
Your child should start to feel better after a day or two on antibiotics. Make sure they get plenty of rest and stay hydrated by drinking enough fluids. Contact your provider if they don’t feel better after three days of treatment.
Your child may need additional tests if they have frequent UTIs or infections that keep coming back.
If your child has a UTI, they need to see a healthcare provider and get antibiotic treatment. Left untreated, UTIs can lead to kidney infections and other health issues.
Advertisement
You can reduce your child’s risk of getting a UTI by:
UTIs are fairly common in kids. And most of the time, a healthcare provider can easily treat them. If your child isn’t acting like themselves or you notice anything unusual about their bathroom habits, it’s a good idea to check with your family doctor or pediatrician. Quick treatment can prevent serious complications.
Advertisement
As your child grows, you need healthcare providers by your side to guide you through each step. Cleveland Clinic Children’s is there with care you can trust.
Last reviewed on 06/02/2025.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.