Another infant uti thread

Ok so this is a bit of a vent/cry for help/advice needed thread.

Dd2 had a uti about 2 months ago, it went away with antibiotics and a follow up sample at 6 weeks showed she was all good.

The doctor explained that if she gets another one we will need to look at getting ultrasounds for her kidneys etc to check for damage as well as the catheter and flush out (not sure of the technical name sorry) to see if she has a reflux causing the problem. They are normally placed on a preventative course of antibiotics (can stretch out to 1 1/2 years) until the operation if required.

Last week her urine had THAT smell again.:wall: I am never eager to give my girls antibiotics because I know it kind of negates all the good my bm has done. I thought I would see if I could clear it up naturally as she was happy enough. I gave her probiotics, cranberry extract (liquid) and also a product called d-mannose which is the sugars that attach itself to the bacteria and help to get flushed out. I have upped her bm intake. The smell went away.

On Friday just gone she has come down with a fever, which can be alleviated with Panafon and nurofen, but she isn't happy. I took her to the doctors today because I really don't want her to get kidney damage. He has requested a sample and testing before he will give her antibiotics which is great.

I am at a loss though. I am fine with the operation if that's what is necessary to fix the problem, but I am hesitant about the prolonged course of antibiotics. I mean ideally she would have neither and I could sort it out naturally, but I have no idea where to start. I also don't want to cause her damage.

What do I do. I know if have to do the test first, but I would love to know the options. Has anyone sorted it out naturally? I know that by age 4 most of the "plumbing issues" sort themselves out, but I don't really want her to be on antibiotics for that long? What damage would a course that long do?

Sorry if this doesn't make sense I'm trying to work it all out :(. Why can't our babies not have these problems :(

It's not a nice thought.
My DD had recurrent UTIs and had 2 ultrasounds, which were all clear, and was then supposed to have a more invasive test (with the catheter, forget the name, too) to check for renal reflux. If she had that, then they'd do the ABs and/or surgery depending on how severe it was.
I didn't like the idea either, and a second doctor said the additional testing was not required if she'd had two clear ultrasounds, so I've just left it and thankfully she hasn't had another for a while now.
I would suggest getting a second opinion if it does end up being a UTI this time. (Might not be.) And get the ultrasound and see what that shows, if anything.

A friend's bub had a UTI, and I don't remember them needing any tests done, but I do remember that it was worse than the symptoms suggested, and they were sent from the Drs straight to the hospital for IV :(

I wouldn't delay getting her checked out, just in case.

I hope she's ok :hug:

Get the tests done as needed, but don't worry about it unless you need to. The antibiotics will probably only be if the urine is refluxing into the kidney as this can easily lead to kidney infections and scarring. The catheter test is an MCU. They insert a catheter into the bladder, fill it with a radio opaque dye, then watch what happens when she urinates. No dye should be seen going towards the kidneys. But, like previous posters have said, and ultrasound is always the first test they do.
For the best, most reliable urine test, do not use a bag. It must be a clean catch urine.
The antibiotic, if she needs it, will probably be trimethoprim. It is almost fully excreted in the urine so it is great for urinary infections, and is usually only given once or twice a day.

I ended up taking her to a go yesterday that was open. He wasn't too concerned, said to get the results first before he gives antibiotics. I asked for those test strips and they came up positive for traces of blood and moderate amounts of leucocytes. Which pretty much means she has an infection she is fighting.

I think I will try and get her into our family go today because she has all the history and knows exactly what's happening.

Friends of mine were telling me about their uti's and it sounds like the poor thing must be in a lot of pain:(.

Dh told me the same as you guys, get the tests done first then we can worry from there. I just one of those want to be prepared for everything people. It stresses me that I can't keep my baby safe and well.

LC: she has been given Kefalex in the past for a uti, is that the same as trimethoprim? Hope so. It would make me feel better lol.

I just hate all the additives in the antibiotics as well for kids. Colouring, flavour, etc. they always change personalities when they go on them. I guess it's a game of what it the lesser of two evils.

Thanks for the support girls.

My son had the same issue as a baby, we did go down the route of testing and 18 months of antibiotics as he had a grade 3 relux. the main reason we did this is because my older brother had the same thing which unfortunately was not treated and now as an adult he has so much scar tissue built up in his urethra that he has had 3 major surgeries and an introduction of a shunt just so that he can urinate. If it fails this time he may end up with a bag. Not trying to scare you but I think you need to go into this with all the information and then make an informative decision on how you want to progress.

Yes, find out if she has reflux first. If not, neither the ongoing ABs nor surgery will be necessary. If she does, then you'll do what you need to do to help her.

Little O, Trimethroprim is not the same as Keflex. Trimethroprim is given as a preventative usually in these cases, where Keflex is given when they actually have an infection. I hope you get some good news from the tests if you do decide to go ahead. The good news is most babies do grow out of the reflux by 18 months old and don't require surgery. My little fella was diagnosed at 6 weeks and spent 18 months on trimethroprim and was given the all clear at 18 months of age. All the best

So she did definitely have a uti, and it was resistant to trimethoprim but not to keflex so she she has just finished a course of keflex. Need to do a follow up test again in 5 days. I also have to book her in for an ultrasound now. The gp said something about her needing a mild anaesthetic to get one. Anyone know more about this?

I have also booked her in with a paediatric urology specialist, but can't get in until start of January. But unless she gets another one I don't think there is a rush, plus we will get the results of the ultrasound before that.

On the up side she is so much happier again. Back to her normal happy active self. :)

My son didn't have an anaesthetic for the ultrasound, but he was only 6 weeks old so probably a lot easier to keep still, that would be the only reason for giving the sedative.
So glad she is feeling better, hopefully she doesn't have any further problems.

DD was older when she had the U/S and no anaesthetic. Good luck!