Has your pre-schooler ever gotten a Urinary Tract Infection?

My 3 yr old hasn't yet, but I am nervous that she will. She is a recent graduate of potty training but sometimes she waits so long between going that I worry. I don't want to keep reminding her or even telling her to go, because I want her to be independant enough to decide on her own. I feel she drinks plenty of fluids and she has always been a big water drinker so I know that she is filling up her bladder. However, she can hold it for 6-8 hours at a time. I can't stand it after that and I make her go use the potty. I was hoping other mom or dads have some input on this subject. Should I worry about her getting a UTI?

Answers:
my son has had a uti and we have just found out his kidneys are scarred from it. Unfortunately we were one of the unlucky ones because it is quite unusual to suffer after the age of 3 even more so after 4. If you are worried speak to your health visitor or GP about the length of time she goes between wees. Also make sure that if she has a fever you ask the doctor for a urine test just to make sure and explain why you are concerned we took our little boy back to the doctor 3 times before a test was done which is probably why his kidneys have been affected. As she drinks lots of water i would also suggest she eats lots of fruit and veg since we have been told by the consultant that these two things are the best preventatives for uti. But don't worry yourself too much since uti's are quite unusuall in young children.

Other Answers:
she may need to see a urologist.small girls sometimes have a urinary meatus that is too small and they urinate small amounts at a time.They can do a surgical procedure called a meatomy in which they open the meatus.Yes she can get a bladder infection if urine is stagnant in her bladder.

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You may not want to have to remind her, but a kid this age can get caught up in her activities and simply 'forget' or refuse to go without understanding the consequences. the best thing to do is, keep reminding her, and talk with your doctor if you are still concerned.

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my son got one when he was 4 months old. he had to be in the hospital for a week. they said that it is very rare.

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A preschooler often gets so caught up in their own activities that they may forget to go to the bathroom. Children often still need their parents to remind them at this age. Other common causes of UTI's in small children are bubble baths and wiping incorrectly(remind your child always to wipe front to back) If you are still concerned that your child is holding it too long talk to your pediatrician.

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