Urinary Track Infections (Having Test Run Monday on My Daughter)

I'm so sorry to read that you are having to go through this. It's heartbreaking to be sure!

I have had to live through some strange (although minor, it was a big deal to them) procedures with my sons, and it does just break your heart.

One thing I've learned is that it's important to them that I stay calm and matter of fact. I also tell them ahead of time what to expect in as simple of words as possible to remove the fear of the unknown. If it's going to hurt, IMO it's ok to tell them "it might hurt a bit, but just for a minute and then it will go away. If you squirm around it's going to be worse. I'll be right there with you the whole time and it will be over before you nkow it and we'll go [insert reward treat here]."

Now, I know she's really young, but she'll read a lot from your demeanor. It's important that all the caring adults are calm and matter-of-fact. You can freak out later, but not while you are with her. You HAVE to do this.

I'd let her know that it's ok to be scared, that even a lot of grownups get scared sometimes, but it's really important to keep her body safe. Keep reassuring her that you'll be right there with her, that everyone (drs and nurses too) care about her and want her to be safe. You don't want her to think that the medical staff is the enemy.

I don't know if there is any way you can be holding her or laying down next to her for the procedure, it might be worth asking. I have found that physically holding down a child makes them panic big time, and you should try to be creative in finding a way to get around physical restraint.

I know this is really hard for all of you. After it's all done, I'd make sure to spend some time reading books about going to the dr, and role-playing dr with her so she can work through her fears. (You might do that ahead of time too).

Any way they can knock her out for the procedure??

I know this is hard for you. The first year of my son's life he was sick, we were at the doctor at least 2-3 times a month with him. They had to put the cathedar in him 2 or 3 times...I hated it but at the same time I knew it had to be done. He also had a spinal tap done and I couldn't go back but I heard him cry all the way in the waiting room--that broke my heart sooooo bad, b/c I knew that was painful. It is hard to see our children in pain but like getting shots we know it is the best thing down deep and that is what you have to think about. You know the pain will end quickly and you definately want to know if something is going on with your daughter. The way I look at is I would much rather them deal with a couple of minutes of pain than the rest of their life. And there is no doubt she will be scared of the doctor for a while my son was the same way all we had to do was walk in the office and he would cry. But now he is older he is not sick like that anymore...the worst thing for him now is getting a strep test--he hates that! But you have to be strong for your daughter,,it's all part of being a mom, even though it really hurts! I really hope everything goes ok and she is ok. please keep me informed!

I am a nurse a Vanderbilt Children's hospital and have seen/taken care of many children with this problem. I completely understand your fear and anxiety. You have suggested great things for your child (special toys, videos, etc) but remember on of the most important aspects is that you remain calm through the procedure. Children pick up on their parents anxiety. It is true this test is done when children get UTIs however there are less invasive tests that can be done first, did your doctor suggest these? Or have they already been done? Good luck, it will be over soon and your daughter will forget about the procedure.

You just described what we went through with my daughter a few weeks ago, except she was 15 months old!

It is hard to watch our little ones go through this. My sister went with me to help hold my daughter. And I believe we took her glow worm too because she loves that thing. Of course she still cried & screamed tho. With them being so young, there isn't much we can do to help them understand that it will be ok and over soon.

The doctor that did the dye test said that in the next few years they will be able to have the child asleep while they do the test. But, they aren't doing that yet :(

My daughter did have a little reflux with her right kidney. She has to take an antibiotic every night so that she doesn't get another UTI. They will do a few other tests every few months to make sure everything is going ok. Then in a year they will do the dye test to see if she has outgrown the reflux.

I know it will be hard, but be strong. I don't think she will remember it too much later.

Hi N., you have gotten some good responses but really felt the need to respond myself too. My daughter, who is about 3.5, was recently diagnosed with a UTI. She is older so we didn't have to go the sterile bag or cath route though. The immediately wanted to do a US of kidneys and a VCUG (the xray test). I'm an xray technologist so I'm acutely aware of what this involves and talked it over with the doc. He said that its OK to wait and see if she gets another infection. Because the main concern is Kidney problems with an undetected infection I take her in every 2 months for a year for a culture to insure that it doesn't come back. This gives me peace of mind that it won't sneak up on us again and she can get the treatment she needs. Of course if she gets another UTI she will be having the tests. I wish you all the best.

My daughter had a UTI at 7 weeks old. They collected her urine with a catheter also, but it didn't seem to bother her much. But the spinal tap they did sure did! They had to do it because of her age to rule out spinal meningitis. They put her on antibiotics also, but told me to do that x-ray thing too. In hindsight, I should have waited. Some of my other friends have had the same thing happen, but their doctors told them to get the x-ray only after their child had more UTIs. That test is awful; they strap them to a board (they don't hold them, they strap them) and then do the catheter and shoot the dye in, which feels cold going up. Then the test takes about 5 minutes or however fast she pees so they can watch it. I truly believe that this test is what has caused my daughter to not like to be held down at all; she hates being dressed or having her diaper changed because you are slightly holding her down while doing that.

The risk is there with the continuing UTIs. But if she has only had one, I would wait and see if she gets more. Also, in the office, they can collect urine by taping a sterile bag over her and leaving it in her diaper. Do not let them hold your daughter down again unless you are for sure it would be for her benefit. I know it is hard, but there are other ways; waiting to see if she gets another one and having them collect it in a bag. Or change doctors if you have to. But it is going to take a year to get her used to doctors again...she is just that age. Good luck to you. But don't feel that you have to do it right now. I don't think the risk is that great that you can't wait it out a little.

Hi N.!!

My daughter will be 2 years old tomorrow on 6/15. She was 2-4 weeks old when we found out she had kidney reflux in both kidneys. The doctors had to take blood, put the catheter in her to check for uti, and they did a spinal tap to rule out menigitis. The spinal tap didn't completely ruled that out, so at 2 weeks old she was in the hospital having 2 types of iv antibiotics to be "on the safe side." Then after 7 days of the iv antibiotics, she had the kidney ultrasound and the ct scan with the dye and catheter which diagnosed the kidney reflux. My daughter has been on antibiotics to prevent uti since she was a month old. every 6 months she has kidney ultrasounds and once a year she has to have the ct scan and catheter. My husband and I have held her down, but when we go to children's hospital in october for the "big test" (that's how we tell her she is going for the ct scan and ultrasound), we hope they sedate her. Her urologist says that she may grow out of as most children do. It is hard to watch our children hurt and be part of the reason they are hurting, but it is to find out if she is sick. The reason the doctors did so many tests on my daughter was because she was 2 weeks old and they couldn't figure out why she was sick, when she was born so healthy. She had the uti, but it became a bladder and kidney infection and then went into her blood stream. I'm not trying to scare you, but it is serious in children. if you have any questions at all you can email me at ____@____.com daughter is my first and only child, I know this is very hard, and sometimes you just need someone to vent too.
I hope monday goes well!!!

I really feel for you and your daughter. I had problems as a young child at the age of 3. I still remember bits of the hospital tests. One of my daughters also started suffering with uti's at the age of 3. What gets me is they offer no type of numbing meds to ease the pain in a child so young. Not sure what to tell you about dealing with the trauma. All I can offer is preventative advise. Cranberry juice now comes in a variety of flavors (our favorite is the cran/peach). They also have cranraisons (dried cranberrys...and they're quite good). My daughter is now 8 and she has learned to swallow capsilles. We keep a supply of concentrated cranberry pills in the house to take at the first indication of a uti. It knocks it out real quick. Good Luck.

Could the dr not give her something to make her sleep so that she is not put through the trauma? I can't imagine that they would put her through tests after just one urinary tract infection. Do they have some reason to believe that there is anything wrong? Maybe you should take her to a diff dr for a 2nd opinion.

As hard as it is to see your baby scared and in pain, remember that these tests are for her overall well being. It is better to know now than when it's too late to correct a potential problem. Pray, and be thankful that you and the doctors have found the source of problems so soon. Remember to talk to her in a positive way about the doctors. "Those doctors are going to make my baby feel better, aren't they. ... we don't want mamma's baby sick to we" "There's no reason to be scared of the doctor he's here to help you... And give yourself some pep talk to.... And be thankful that she is as healthy as she is, what if you/she were battling childhood cancer, etc.. Look on the positive side, it could be worse.

Also, ask the doctor is there is a mild sedative that she could be given before undergoing the procedure.

Good luck, keep your head up and stay positive. It's hard when they wheel your frightened baby away for some procedure and he's crying for mommy, but I knew afterwards and after the healing he would feel so much better..

The better you handle this, the better your daughter will. You have to remember that these tests are nessasary for her health- even if they do cause her pain. (Maybe you could ask the doc if you can give her a dose of Children's Tylonol before hand so it isn't so painful for her?) Kids pick up on you mood a lot more than you realize, even when they are babies.
So be strong girl! You can do it! Goodluck!
(And hey- it never hurt to say a prayer and ask for some strength!)

Hi N.-

I had to help hold my daughter down when she was one week old for the nurses to put in a scalp IV. After watching them try to get a line in on each hand and foot two times EACH, I was glad they finally got the IV in. She was dehydrated because I didn't have enough milk. That's a long story that I won't go into here, but it is SO hard to hold our little ones down for tests.

I agree with much of what's been said here- ask if the test is REALLY necessary, or is the doctor being test happy?

I personally have had the test you're referring to as an older child and again as an adult, and other than the catheter part, it's not that bad. But for such a young baby, they don't understand that. My son had a bad experience with blood being drawn and was scared of our Ped and lab people for several months. I think they do forget, although your daughter may always be a little wary of the doctor.

One other question- have you been referred to a Urologist for this procedure? Please tell me it's not your Ped or Family Practice doc doing this....

Just pray and keep up the positive talk- to yourself as well as your daughter. Kids pick up on our anxieties faster than anything else.

J.

I know how you feel about seeing your child in pain. I had to hold my son down several times when he had some blood work done, a brain MRI and a EEg. It was so hard he was so scared also. I took his blanket and just tried not to get upset and cry until it was all over. I know that is very hard, and it is also very hard not to cry while the procedure is going on. I would just try to rub his head and make him feel secure. My son is 5 so he is very strong and a fighter so it takes a lot out of everyone to run tests on him. I feel for you and I will pray for you. Just do the best you can and I promise she will be okay.
Kw

My daughter was a bit older (just over two years) when the doctor catheterized her to check her for a UTI. I was so upset at him. She had a sore throat and he did that test and I was too timid to stop him. She just turned three and still gets upset when she gets her diaper changed by anyone other than me (still working on that potty training). She hasn’t forgotten and neither have I. A different pediatrician saw my daughter for her three year visit and spent extra time getting her comfortable with the exam. He was patient and you will need to be as well. Your daughter needs the tests done, but she may well remember being frightened by the doctor. You will need to comfort her as will the doctor. I hope all goes well. It is so difficult seeing your child hurt or afraid. Best to you both.

My daughter also had frequent OTIS and the doc order that test. It was very traumatic for her as well. Still to this day over a year later when I say its time to go to the doc, she asks if it’s the "butt doc". I was pregnant so I couldn’t stay during the x-rays but my husband did. I could hear her crying in the hall. The test came back negative. I regret doing it now. The doc also said to not give her any caffeine and limit her sugars. Not to let her take baths, and use very mild baby soap to wash her privates and use All free and clear on her panties. All that seemed to help more than anything the docs did. Please make sure she needs the test before you let them do it. It is not possible for them to give her a mild sedative if they have to? They do at the dentist why couldn’t they there? Also if they have to, I would take her to a childrens hospital to do it, because they deal with children everyday and have smaller catheters as well. I hope I didn’t scare you I just wanted you to know it is a serious thing especially if your daughter is already traumatize. Good Luck!
~N. J.

My daughter also had to have a catheter at just a few months old. i (myself) had a previous bad experience with a new nurse,a shaky hand and no experience so my whole soul shut down when my child had to have one. later on i had to have a catheter again and the nurse gave me a numbing agent, the same one that the dentist uses on your gum (i was literally shaking and crying). she used a q-tip to apply it and the rest was a piece of cake. i don't know if they will use it on a baby but it's worth a try.