UTI in children under 1 year

my dr just called and my dd's urine results came back with low white blood cell count. (i took her in showing symptoms)..but they want her to come back in for another bag test and if comes back again they want to make sure with a catheter.

my question is, why wouldnt they just put her on antibiotics? is she too young?(7 1/2 months) has anyone's child had a bladder infection? or uti under the age of 1? im so nervous..thanks

Re: UTI in children under 1 year

My DD has vesicoureteral reflux - When you urinate your bladder should empty. My DD's doesn't, and it back flows into her kidneys. She suffers from frequent UTI's as a result.

We have A LOT of experience with bag catches, catheter catches and the VCUG/Kindney sonogram tests.

1- They will sometimes repeat a bag catch when the results come back inconclusive - If more than one organism is found - If they think that the organism that is found is a colonizer.

2- They will follow up with a catheter (clean catch) sample when the 2nd bag test has again come back positive for an organism.
They look for a certain number of a certain type of organism - They also look for white bloods cells in urine which could indicate infection - As well as blood.

3- They won't put your DC on antibiotics until they know for sure it's a UTI because the antibiotic will 'contaminate' the urine sample.

HTH

Good Luck

Re: UTI in children under 1 year

omg thank u. now can u tell me how bad a catheter is? im so nervous to give her that. it has to be so painful

p.s. im so soory you dd has to go through that

Message edited 8/4/2008 3:38:52 PM.

Re: UTI in children under 1 year

DD developed a UTI a week before her first b-day (6 weeks ago). Took her in b/c of a really high fever and odor to her urine. After the bag catch urine samples came back “suspicious”, they did the catheter in the doctor’s office. I was freaked over the catheter, but it was necessary to properly diagnose. It was quick, and painless for DD (although obviously just a little uncomfortable). Was only in her for maybe a minute. It confirmed the UTI, and she was put on antibiotics. I would definitely go with the catheter. Yes, it’s sad to think about your daughter having one, but it’s not nearly as bad as you fear, and it’s better than having your daughter on antibiotics unnecessarily.

Can they get her in for the catheter ASAP, so they can diagnose it?

Good luck, FM if you need.

Re: UTI in children under 1 year

Who does the catheter depends on your pediatrician. Our's would send us to the ped ER at Stony Brook to have it done. They use a narrower catheter but it's still difficult for the baby. But once its done, the urine comes quickly and they can test it right away. You will get peliminary reults on whether it is an infection or not, but the culture (what type of organism) takes 72 hours.
Generally they will treat with a broadscope antibiotic (like an amoxicillian) until they know the type of organism. Once the culture comes back and they test the sensitivies of the organism to different antibiotics your doctor will either switch antibiotics or keep you on what was prescribed.