Urinary Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger

When To See a Doctor

You have answered Yes to:

Does your child have symptoms of a urinary tract infection?


See significance of urinary tract infection if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.

Red square with white cross logo

Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Does your child have severe pain with urination?


Yellow telephone logo

Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Does your child have burning pain with urination that does not seem to be caused by genital skin irritation?

Yes

Does your child have to urinate often without being able to pass much urine?

Yes

Does your child have pain in the back just below the rib cage, on one side of the body (flank pain)?

Yes

Does your child have bloody urine?

Yes

Is your child vomiting?


Green wait logo

You may wait to see if your child's symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

For the past 24 hours, has your child urinated slightly more often and passed smaller amounts of urine than usual?

Yes

For the past 24 hours, has your child had cloudy, bad-smelling urine without other symptoms?


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Your child needs an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Has your child had mild urinary symptoms off and on for 2 weeks or longer?


If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.



Author: Jan Nissl, RN, BSLast Updated: April 30, 2007
Medical Review: Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Peter Anderson, MD, FRCS(C) - Pediatric Urology

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