Definition & Facts of Bladder Infection in Children

In this section:

• What is a bladder infection?
• How common are bladder infections in children?
• Which children are more likely to develop bladder infections?
• What are the complications of bladder infections in children?

What is a bladder infection?

A bladder infection is a common type of urinary tract infection (UTI) most often caused by bacteria that enter the bladder and multiply. If untreated, a bladder infection can spread to your child’s kidneys and develop into a more serious infection.

Does bladder infection have another name?

Bladder infections may also be called cystitis. Sometimes people use the general term, urinary tract infection or UTI, to mean a bladder infection. However, UTIs can occur in other parts of the urinary tract, such as the kidneys.

How common are bladder infections in children?

UTIs, including bladder infections, are common bacterial infections in children. By age 7, about 8% of girls and 2% of boys have had a UTI.1 Up to 3 out of 10 children may have another UTI within 6 to 12 months of their first one.2

UTIs, including bladder infections, are common bacterial infections in children.

Which children are more likely to develop bladder infections?

Children of any age—from infants to teenagers—can get UTIs, including bladder infections. Girls are more likely to develop UTIs than boys, except during the first year of life.2

Girls get bladder infections more often than boys, which may be due to their anatomy. Girls have short urethras located close to the anus, a source of bacteria. Therefore, bacteria from the anus may more easily enter the female urinary tract and cause a bladder infection.

Boys younger than age 1 who haven’t been circumcised have a higher risk of getting UTIs than circumcised boys.1 The foreskin of the penis can be a source of bacteria, which can travel to the bladder. However, most uncircumcised boys don’t get UTIs.

Teenagers who are sexually active may be more likely to get bladder infections.

Children are also more likely to get bladder infections if they have

• difficulty emptying their bladders completely or using the bathroom when they feel the need to urinate
• an abnormality in the urinary tract, such as vesicoureteral reflux
• constipation
• a urinary tract blockage, such as a kidney stone
• a personal or family history of UTIs
• diabetes or problems with their immune system
• problems with bladder function, such as overactive bladder
• a neurologic issue, such as spina bifida

What are the complications of bladder infections in children?

When diagnosed early and treated properly, most bladder infections in children don’t lead to complications.

If untreated, a bladder infection can spread to one or both of your child’s kidneys. Kidney infections are often very painful. Without treatment, kidney infections can cause serious health problems, such as permanent kidney damage.

The risk for kidney damage is higher in young children than in older children and adults.

References

[1] Barola S, Grossman OK, Abdelhalim A. Urinary tract infections in children. In: StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Updated January 11, 2024. Accessed April 15, 2024. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK599548

[2] Mattoo TK, Shaikh N, Nelson CP. Contemporary management of urinary tract infection in children. Pediatrics. February 2021; 147(2):e2020012138. doi:10.1542/peds.2020-012138

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