URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN

In today's guest column, reputed Paediatric Nephrologist, Dr Arvind Bagga addresses Urinary Tract Infections in children.

- DR ANUPAM SIBAL, DR ARVIND BAGGA

Urinary tract infections (or UTI) are a common bacterial infection in children. It is estimated that UTI affect 1% to 5% of children, occurring most frequently in infants and adolescent girls. The chief organism causing these infections is Escherichia coli, although other bacteria and occasionally viruses may be responsible.

UTI in older children is usually limited to the urinary bladder. However, the infection is serious in young children in whom the kidneys are commonly affected. Untreated, these infections can damage the kidneys. Further, up to one-third of children with UTI might have abnormalities of the urinary tract that require specialised management.