Antibiotics aren’t recommended to kids for avoiding UTIs

Due to the early research, antibiotics shouldn’t be given to children as a preventative measure to try to avoid urinary tract infection (UTI). Considering it doesn’t help prevent UTI and contributes to antibiotic resistance.

Urinary tract infections are a common childhood infection, appearing in around 8% of girls and 2% of boys before 7 years of age.

“UTI symptoms can be unpleasant for the child and worrying for parents, understandably doctors and parents want to do whatever they can to prevent the child from having to experience another infection once the first one has cleared up,” said Prof Boonville.

Taking antibiotics when you don’t really need them can contribute to antibiotic resistance, meaning antibiotics may not work for any future infection, whether a UTI or another type of infection. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change in response to the use of these medicines. Bacteria, not humans or animals, become antibiotic-resistant. These bacteria may infect humans and animals, and the infections they cause are harder to treat than those caused by non-resistant bacteria.

We strongly encourage people to ask their healthcare provider questions about any test, treatment or procedure, so they can make a more informed decision about their health management.”

Dr. Robyn Lindner

Resource