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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 8 out of 100 girls and about 2 out of 100 boys will have a UTI as a child.1

UTIs are more common in boys who are not circumcised than in circumcised boys. During the first year of life, boys are at higher risk for UTIs than girls. 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.

Citations

  1. Lum GM (2011). Urinary tract infections section of Kidney and urinary tract. In WW Hay Jr et al., eds., Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Pediatrics, 20th ed., pp. 693–695. New York: McGraw-Hill.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics
Specialist Medical Reviewer Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology
Last Revised March 10, 2011

Last Revised: March 10, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics & Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology

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