How common are urinary tract infections in children?

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How common are urinary tract infections in children?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children, especially during their first year. About 1 or 2 out of 100 infants have a UTI during the first year of life.¹ The numbers are slightly higher for children born prematurely. During the first year of life, boys are at higher risk than girls for UTIs. UTIs are more common in boys who are not circumcised than in circumcised boys.

After the first year, UTIs become more common in girls than in boys. This trend continues throughout childhood and most of adulthood.

Infants and young children often get another UTI in the months after their first one. Recurrent infections usually happen within the same year as the first UTI.

References

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Citations
Shortliffe LMD (2002). Urinary tract infections in infants and children. In PC Walsh et al., eds., Campbell's Urology, 8th ed., vol. 3, pp. 1846–1875. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

Credits

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Author	Debby Golonka, MPH
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Peter Anderson, MD, FRCS(C) - Pediatric Urology
Last Updated	April 30, 2007

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Last updated:	April 30, 2007
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Peter Anderson, MD, FRCS(C) - Pediatric Urology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC

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