Nephrologist (Pediatric) Questions Urinary Tract Infections

Does cranberry juice help a UTI in kids?

My son has a UTI, and to help him cope with the abdominal pain I'm giving him cranberry juice because it helps me (sugar-free cranberry juice). Does cranberry juice help kids as well?

2 Answers

Not studied.
Will not help to reduce abdominal pain due to UTI, in fact, may make it worse. Cranberry juice interferes with bacteria attaching themselves to bladder lining. Thus is a preventative of UTIs, not a treatment. Bladder or urethral pain from UTI can be treated with Pyridium. However, UTIs are uncommon in boys and should be checked by a physician.