Preventing Urinary Tract Infections in Children

If your child is not feeling well and you don’t know why, they may have a urinary tract infection, or UTI. Let’s talk about what causes UTIs and how to prevent them.

Hi, I’m Dr. Griffin Rodgers, bringing you Healthy Moments from the NIH. I’m the director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Children who often delay urination and those with chronic constipation are at greater risk for developing a UTI. Some children are prone to getting UTIs, just like some are prone to ear infections. For other children, a UTI, especially repeated UTIs, may be a sign of an abnormality in the urinary tract.

For children with a normal urinary tract, you can help them avoid UTIs by encouraging regular trips to the bathroom, making sure they get enough to drink each day, having them wear loose-fitting clothing and cotton underwear, and teaching proper techniques for cleaning after urinating.

For more information, follow us @NIDDKgov. This is Dr. Griffin Rodgers.