What Are the Symptoms of a Bladder Infection in Children?

Symptoms of a bladder infection in children include frequent urination, complaints of a burning or stinging sensation while voiding urine, and urine with a very strong or unpleasant odor. In addition, children with a bladder infection may develop a mild fever or feel generally unwell. Another thing that parents and caretakers should look for is bed wetting or accidents in children who have already been toilet trained. It should be noted, however, that none of these symptoms necessarily means that the child has a bladder infection. The only way to diagnose a bladder infection in children is to seek medical attention and have a child's urine tested. It is important to get a proper diagnosis, as ignoring the problem could result in kidney damage and other health problems for the child.

A bladder infection is caused by bacteria in the urinary tract. The bacterial infection itself can be caused by any number of things, including a urinary tract defect, a child not using the toilet often enough during the day, or outside irritants such as bubble baths. Bladder infections can be extremely uncomfortable for children and may eventually spread to the kidneys, which can have significant and long-term negative effects on a child's health.

When a child develops a bladder infection, he or she may experience very strong urges to urinate, and these urges may occur several times during the day. In some cases, the child may not be able to get to the toilet in time and may wet himself or herself. Children may also wake several times during the night to use the toilet or may begin to wet the bed. While occasional problems with bed- or pants-wetting is not uncommon among small children, it may also be an indication of a bladder infection in children. Pain when urinating is another common symptom of a bladder infection in children.

Parents and caregivers should also look for changes in the urine itself. A child with a bladder infection may have cloudy, slightly bloody, or foul-smelling urine. The child may also demonstrate other signs of illness, including fever, lower back pain, and lethargy. If the condition progresses and the child develops a kidney infection, symptoms become much more severe and may include flushing of the skin, a high fever, and vomiting. The child may also begin to experience pain in the kidney area. In such cases, a child's parent or caregiver should seek medical attention immediately.