Urinary Tract Infections in Children - When To Call a Doctor

When To Call a Doctor

Urinary tract infections (UTI) in infants and young children need early evaluation and treatment. Call your doctor if your child has:

• Unexplained fever.
• Vomiting.
• Urine that looks pink, red, brown, or cloudy or is foul-smelling.
• Burning pain with urination.
• Frequent need to urinate without being able to pass much urine.
• Pain in the back just below the rib cage, on one side of the body (flank pain).
• Vaginal discharge with urinary symptoms.
• Symptoms similar to those of a previous UTI.

Call the doctor if your child isn't feeling better within 48 hours after starting an antibiotic.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. If you get better on your own, you won't need treatment. If you get worse, you and your doctor will decide what to do next. Watchful waiting is not appropriate if you suspect your child has a urinary tract infection. Untreated UTIs in children can lead to permanent kidney damage, high blood pressure, and other serious complications.

Who To See

The following health professionals can treat UTIs in children:

• Nurse practitioner
• Physician assistant
• General practitioner
• Family medicine physician
• Pediatrician
• Urologist

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment