Urinary tract infection (UTI) is quite common in children. Urinary tract infection refers to an infection in any part of the urinary tract, including the urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys. Urinary tract infections are mainly the result of a bacterial infection. 90% of UTI cases are caused by E. coli (Escherichia coli) which is normally present in the digestive tract and excreted in the feces. Some other bacteria that cause urinary tract infections include klebsiella, enterobacter, proteus, and enterococcus. The bacteria gain access to the urinary tract through the urethral opening. From there they enter the urinary bladder and multiply there, leading to an infection. UTI is classified into two types: a lower UTI that affects the urethra (urethritis) and bladder (cystitis), and a higher UTI that affects the ureters (ureteritis) and the kidneys (pyelonephritis).
The risk factors for urinary tract infection in children include wiping the anus from back to front after passing stool, which increases the chance of intestinal bacteria entering the urinary tract. Babies who pass feces in a diaper can soil the urethra. Weak immunity, poor hygiene, prolonged use of antibiotics and wearing super absorbent diapers are the other causes. Retention of urine in the bladder, even when there is an urge to urinate, also increases the risk. Girls are more at risk of urinary tract infections than boys because the urethra in women is short and the opening is close to the anus. As a result, the bacteria can easily gain access to the urethra from the anus in the girls. In addition, boys under the age of one year without a foreskin (with the presence of the foreskin over the penis) are slightly more at risk for urinary tract infections than other boys.
Constipation is also a risk factor as it can put pressure on the bladder and as a result the bladder cannot empty naturally, causing urine retention which increases the chance of infection. Another condition is vesicoureteral reflux, in which urine passes from the bladder back into the ureter and kidneys due to a problem in the valves of the ureters.
Signs and symptoms of UTI in children
The signs and symptoms in infants (babies under one year old) and toddlers (children between one and three years old) may not be obvious because they cannot communicate the symptoms. Vague and general symptoms occur, such as fever, irritability, foul-smelling urine, abdominal pain, poor eating/loss of appetite, weakness, vomiting and failure to gain weight.
In older children, specific symptoms may occur, such as pain or a burning sensation when urinating, crying while urinating, urinating only a few drops, involuntary urination, bedwetting, frequent urination, urge to urinate, bad odor in the urine, pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills. Some of the serious symptoms that indicate a kidney infection may include: high fever with chills and shaking, irritability, intense fatigue, pain in the back or sides of the abdomen (flank area), nausea and vomiting.
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathy provides a very safe and natural treatment for cases of urinary tract infection in children. These medications help fight the infectious agent and remove it from the body. Side by side, they gradually reduce the intensity of symptoms. The homeopathic prescription for urinary tract infections varies from case to case, as medicines are selected based on the characteristic symptoms in each case, after a detailed evaluation of the symptoms. These medicines are recommended in mild to moderate cases. Any case of urinary tract infection in children should be carefully monitored and all homeopathic medicines should be taken under the supervision of a homeopathic doctor and self-medication should be avoided in any case. Homeopathy has a limitation in helping severe cases of urinary tract infection, and in cases where the infection has spread to the kidneys, immediate relief from the conventional treatment method should be initiated.
Homeopathic medicines for UTI in children
1. Borax – Top drug
Borax is a commonly recommended drug for treating urinary tract infections in children. The main feature of using this medicine is that the child cries or screams before urinating in pain. There is also an increased frequency of urination. Sometimes there is an urge to urinate every 10 minutes. There is also an urgent desire to urinate. The urine has a foul odor. In some cases requiring borax, small red particles can be seen on the child’s diaper.
2. Lycopodium – For frequent urination
This medicine is indicated for frequent urination. The urine is pale in color. The urine contains foul-smelling sediments. Child cries before urinating. Pain is felt in the bladder region. In some cases, the urine passes involuntarily.
3. Sarsaparilla – When a child screams before and during urination
This medicine is recommended if a child screams both before and during urination. The child can only urinate while standing. Urine flows in a thin stream. At the end of urination, a severe pain may be felt. The bladder area may distend and be painful to touch. Urine may pass involuntarily at night. Urine may contain white sand-like particles.
4. Cantharis – For pain/burning sensation during urination
Cantharis is a very effective drug if there is marked pain or burning during urination. Pain can also be felt before and after urination. The child doubles over and screams in pain. There is pain in the bladder and frequent urination. There is an urge to urinate even though there is little urine in the bladder. Shortly after urinating, the urge to urinate renews. The urge to urinate is less when you sit, but increases when you stand or walk. In some cases, if necessary, the urine flows out drop by drop.
5. Apis Mellifica – For burning when urinating the last drops of urine
This medicine is well indicated if you experience a burning sensation during urination. There is frequent urination. Urine passes with great difficulty. The urine can also pass involuntarily in some cases. Itching in the urethra may occur.
6. Sanicula – When the child cries before urinating
This medicine, like borax, is indicated if a child cries before urinating. There is an urgent desire to urinate. Urine passes in small amounts at long intervals. The child may strain to urinate during urination.
7. Kreosote – with offensive smelling urine
Kreosote is a valuable medicine if the urine smells unpleasant. Frequent urination takes place during the day. The child should hurry up when the urge to urinate occurs. Involuntary urination may also occur during sleep.
8. Petroselinum – With sudden urgency to urinate
This medicine is best for sudden urge to urinate. Children who need this have a sudden urge to urinate and if the urge is not acted upon immediately, they jump up and down in pain. Excessive pain occurs during urination. They also have a frequent urge to urinate. There may be an urge to urinate every half hour.
9. Merc Sol – With frequent and urgent urination
Merc Sol can be considered for frequent and urgent urination. The child who needs it will urinate more often, but only urinate a little at a time. Every hour there is an urge to urinate. You also have to hurry to urinate, otherwise the urine will go away on its own. The urine flows in a thin stream. The child tends to hold the urethra and cries in pain. In most cases, pain or a burning sensation is felt at the beginning of urination.