Dr. Yves L. Homsy, M.D.

The size and location of the stone as well as the degree of pain will determine whether it is best to wait for the stone to pass spontaneously with urination with the help of pain medicine and good hydration, to intervene by extracorporeal; shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) or by endoscopic means.

Yes a wet diaper that is worn for a long time can cause UTI's especially in girls. If the child has frequency of urination she may already be experiencing a UTI that should be ruled out by sending a clean-catch urinary specimen for culture and sensitivity. Should this turn out to be negative she could be experiencing the symptoms of an overactive bladder secondary to bladder-bowel dysfunction (BBD) that is often associated with chronic constipation. In this case, managing the constipation will often resolve the problem.

Yes it could be aUTI. Does he strain to void? Is there any burning sensation? Any fever? A urine sample should be sent for culture and sensitivity. Constipation should be ruled out and is best done by a trans abdominal ultrasound of the pelvis which is a non-invasive quick procedure. Constipation is a frequent cause of UTI and recurrences can be prevented by adequately managing the chronic constipation when it is present.

Yes, it is common for children to have UTI's. It is more common in uncircumcised boys in the first year of life and more common in older girls. A UTI must be confirmed by culture an sensitivity of a clean-catch urine sample. When the UTI is associated with pain, burning and/or urinary frequency it is usually a bladder infection and the kidneys are usually spared. When the infection is associated with fever and abdominal pain with or without vomiting, it means that the infection has ascended into the kidneys and antibiotic therapy must be instituted within 48 hours to avoid kidney damage. Constipation is frequently associated with urinary tract infections and must be ruled out and treated to avoid recurrences.