Children in preschool and kindergarten, hesitant to go to the toilet and holding their urine for long periods, increases the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlke Beyitler, a Pediatric Health and Diseases Specialist at Near East University Hospital, emphasized that prolonged retention of urine in the bladder can lead to the multiplication of disease-causing bacteria.
Urinary tract infections in children are a significant health problem, particularly common in early childhood, and can lead to serious consequences if not treated promptly. Kidneys, still in their developmental stage, are easily affected by such infections. Therefore, early detection and appropriate treatment are crucial for protecting children’s kidney health. Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlke Beyitler, a Pediatric Health and Diseases Specialist at Near East University Hospital, stated that timely detection and necessary treatment of urinary tract infections in children are essential, adding that “there is no room for neglect.” She warned that potential neglect could lead to risky situations in the future, such as kidney failure, hypertension, and pregnancy problems. Assoc. Prof. Beyitler stated that this condition can be prevented by drinking plenty of water and urinating frequently and in sufficient quantity.
Neglect is the biggest risk!
Noting that urinary tract infections, which are among the most common infections in children, pose a risk, especially for young children, Assoc. Prof. Beyitler said that this situation can create dangerous consequences for the developing kidneys. Beyitler said, “Although it is easily treated, this condition, which is neglected by many people, can lead to bigger problems in children in the future.”
Beyitler also touched upon the factors that cause urinary tract infections and said “Toilet training in young children is a challenging and lengthy process. Parents need to dedicate significant time and effort during this period. Children in preschool or kindergarten often hesitate to go to the toilet for many reasons and hold their urine. This in itself is a major cause of urinary tract infections. Urine remaining in the bladder for a long time leads to an increase in disease-causing bacteria, thus damaging protective cells and causing urinary tract infections. The most common symptoms are constipation, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and failure to gain weight.”
Referring to the signs of infection, Assoc. Prof. Dr. İlke Beyitler, a Pediatric Health and Diseases Specialist at Near East University Hospital, noted that in young children, this manifests as “intermittent urination, restlessness, and fever.” She emphasized that school-aged children, being able to express themselves, can describe it with phrases such as “back or lower back pain, or pain while urinating.”
Urinary tract infections, which have become a common occurrence recently, are more frequently seen in boys up to the age of one, according to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Beyitler, while in girls, this problem is more common after the age of one.
Hygiene and ample water consumption are important!
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Beyitler stated that the most important and beneficial resistance mechanism in combating these infections is “urinating frequently and in sufficient quantities, and drinking plenty of water.” Beyitler listed some of the causes of infections as follows: “Frequent washing of the genital area with soap or shampooed water, insufficient bladder emptying, kidney stone disease, uncircumcision, and bladder dyssynergy can all cause infections. However, generally, this infection occurs when intestinal bacteria reach the urinary tract. Urinary tract infections are seen in 3% of girls and 1% of boys. This is because bacteria that travel to the bladder can reach the bladder more quickly in girls. Unnecessary antibiotic use and poor hygiene also disrupt the natural environment of the genital area. Thus, children’s resistance to urinary tract infections decreases.”
How is it treated?
Assoc. Prof. Beyitler stated that urinary tract infections can normally be treated with appropriate antibiotics within 5-10 days, but in more serious infections, the treatment period can extend up to 14 days. She also noted that depending on the severity of the infection, antibiotics may need to be administered intravenously or by injection. Beyitler stated, “In addition to treating urinary tract infections in children, it is very important to examine at-risk patients with certain imaging methods and prevent the development of new infections. The most frequently used method for this purpose is urinary system ultrasonography.”