“What causes urinary problems in children?”

In young children’s urinary problems such as infections can be cause by multiple etiologies (causes or origins), such as vesicoureteral reflux (ureter back flow) or an obstruction in the urinary tract. It would be wise for her to be checked by he pediatrician or a pediatrician urologist. Thank you.

This should be discussed with your daughter's doctor since he has done the testing. UTIs occur more often in girls because their urethras are shorter and closer to the anus. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter the urethra. The urethra doesn’t normally harbor bacteria. But certain circumstances can make it easier for bacteria to enter or remain in your child’s urinary tract. The following factors can put your child at a higher risk for a UTI:

-a structural deformity or blockage in one of the organs of the urinary tract
-abnormal function of the urinary tract
-vesicoureteral reflux, a birth defect that results in the abnormal backward flow of urine
-the use of bubbles in baths
-tight-fitting clothes
-wiping from back to front after a bowel movement
-poor toilet and hygiene habits
-infrequent urination or delaying urination for long periods of time

Escherichia coli is the most common cause of UTI in children. A variety of host factors influence the predisposition for UTIs in children. These include female sex, genetic factors, urinary tract anomalies, bladder and bowel dysfunction, vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and bladder catheterization in addition to those mentioned above for febrile young children (e.g., lack of circumcision, temperature >39°C [102.2°F]).