Ask an expert: Urinary tract infection in infants and children
Paediatric nephrologist Dr Andy Lunn offers expert answers to GP’s questions on common practical challenges, including indications for taking a urine sample, the threshold for diagnosing a UTI, the latest evidence on risk factors for long-term renal damage and when to refer for further investigations.
Learning outcomes
After completing this module, you should be able to:
- Know when to investigate for a possible urinary tract infection (UTI) in an infant or child with non-specific symptoms
- Feel confident to decide whether to start immediate antibiotic treatment while awaiting culture results in an infant or child with a possible UTI
- Understand when it is safe to treat in primary care and when referral to hospital is indicated
- Be up to date with the latest evidence on vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) and other possible risk factors for long-term renal damage and the indications for requesting further investigations.