Possible UTI in Baby

Updated on July 13, 2012
M.B. asks from Clearwater, FL
6 answers

My 5m old baby girl woke up with a fever this morning so I took her to her ped. The dr said it might be a virus or the start if a UTI, and we will watch her over the next day before cath-ing her to check for a UTI. What are some ways I can prevent/help her if it is? I know not to use bubble baths ect when I bath her and she gets changed often. I even let her sit naked:) on a side note she did have a diaper rash a few days ago could the cream I put on her cause a UTI? Thanks
Added I'm not sure how else you get a urine sample from a 5 month old baby...do you squeeze it out of her diaper? The dr is not a quack shes a very good dr. That's why she doesn't want to do any thing invasive if she doesn't have to.

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C.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

The most sterile way you get a sample of urine is to catheterize (whether its an adult or an infant). Yes, it sounds horrible to do this to an infant, but the catheter is really small (much smaller than an adult size catheter). Sometimes they will do a Ubag (which is bascially a plastic bag that has an adhesive an edges that attaches to the vagina). After the baby urninates the the bag is removed. Some doctors will go directly to catheter for a sample because even with a ubag its not as accurate as a catheter (because there is bacteria everywhere and this can compromise the sample, not giving an accurate sample). If you have ever had a catheter placed in you, its very similair. I've never seen a child sedated to be catheterized. Its called a straight catheter because you are just putting in for a second to get the urine sample and then its removed right away.
With girls we really like to make sure you are wiping from front to back after diaper changes.
Uti's in infants can sometimes be a sign of possible structural defects within the bladder or ureters (the tube that connects the kidneys to the bladder). This is worst case scenario so please I'm not trying to scare you. I work in the hospital and babies are often hospitalized for uti's.

1 mom found this helpful

N.G.

answers from Dallas on

She had a fever and he jumps straight to "let's cath her"? That seems silly. A fever can be caused by all sorts of things. My girls have had numerous fevers over the course of their short lives and my ped has NEVER suggested a cath. Your ped sounds like a wacko.

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R.F.

answers from Dallas on

I understand the catheter part only because my daugther just had surgery due to kidney reflux. She had a very late onset. I've heard when infants have it, UTIs are a symptom and your doctor probably wants to check her out before she gets more UTIs and put her on preventative medication.

It's probably called a VCUG, where she will be sedated and won't feel a thing.

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F.C.

answers from Miami on

I'm not sure how the conversation went from "a fever this morning" to a UTI. Uness you asked millions of worse scenario questions, I doubt the doc thinks its more then your run of the mill virus that just needs to run its course.
Besides they would only use a cath if you couldn't get the urine through th collection bag.
Make sure you wipe your girl front to back, always. As for rashes, I found dropping some baking soda in my girls bath water and using regular Vaseline works best on rashes.
Hope she feels better this morning.

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

A messy poop could cause a UTI, just as wiping back to front can. Why a cath? Wouldn't you just need a urine sample?

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

most likely it is a virus. babies get lots of viruses.. they do not get many UTIs

they can tape a collection bag on her and collect urine that way or a catheter.

no she can not get a UTI from diaper cream --

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