Kidney Infection in Infants: Symptoms & Signs

A kidney infection is a upper urinary tract infection (UTI) called pyelonephritis. Since a common symptom is pain, it can be difficult to know when a baby is showing signs of a kidney infection. Other symptoms, however, can point to this possibility.

Unexplained Fever

• According to the Dr. Spock website, about 1 of every 20 children between 2 months and 2 years of age with an unexplained fever has a UTI. Most of these UTIs are not kidney infections but affect the bladder or urethra instead.

High Fever and Additional Symptoms

• Usually a fever over 102° F during a UTI points to a kidney infection. The baby also may have shaking chills. Additionally, fatigue and tiredness are associated with kidney infections.

Urination Behavior

• An infant with a kidney infection may be irritable, particularly when urinating. He may cry when urinating and may urinate more often than usual.

Urine Characteristics

• A kidney infection also may have signs of foul or otherwise different odor to the urine or blood in the urine, indicated by a dark or reddish color.

Other Signs

• The other common symptom of a kidney infection is lower back pain, but unfortunately, an infant is not able to communicate this. More visible symptoms include trouble sleeping, lack of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea.