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Urinary Tract Infections and Bedwetting

Help for Parents of Children With Special Needs

By Gwen Morrison

According to pediatrician Dr. Michael Erhard, chief of the division of pediatric urology at Nemours Children's Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., many children with special needs are also unable to completely empty their bladders. Dr. Dean also says that special needs children often have a longer time span between each use of the bathroom. Both of these issues promote an increase in bacteria and cause a urinary tract infection.

Fever, lower abdominal pain, new onset bedwetting or blood in the urine may be an indication that your child has a UTI; however, keep in mind that every child is unique, and symptoms may differ greatly from one child to another.

"Signs of a urinary tract infection are age specific," says Dr. Dean. "In the infant, the symptoms can be non-specific and include poor feeding, vomiting and/or fever. In the older child, symptoms may include voiding pain, frequent urination, blood in the urine and fever."

With older children, there is often an increased incidence of bedwetting if they have a urinary tract infection. "Urinary tract infections can be the cause of new onset bedwetting, and such children need to be evaluated for this," says Dr. Erhard.

Dr. Spooner points out that bedwetting does not cause UTIs. Instead, it's more likely that a urinary tract infection, due to its effect of irritating the bladder and causing spasms, might cause bedwetting in some children.

Wearing disposable absorbent underpants while working on the problem can be helpful. Special needs children may have a difficult time making it to bathroom frequently, causing embarrassment or shame. Wearing the protective underpants may help improve a child's self-esteem, since they stay dry, and save you from frequent laundering.

Want to see more?

• Bedwetting and Your Special Needs Child: Finding the Right Approach
• Dry Days Ahead Helping Special Needs Children Learn to Use the Toilet
• Bedwetting and Special Needs Kids
• Absorbent Undergarments and Special Needs Children
• Words That Heal: Incontinence Solutions for Special Needs Kids
• Bedwetting and Summer Camp: Does Your Special Needs Child Have to Miss Out on All the Fun?
• Under Special Circumstances: Sleep Disorders and Bedwetting in Special Needs Children