The majority of children with urine infections, even if recurrent, have no problems and the kidneys remain perfectly healthy.
However, damage to the kidneys can occur either from severe reflux in the womb before the baby is born and can occur in children who have severe reflux and infection after birth. It is therefore important for tests to be carried out to detect reflux in your child and define whether there has been any scarring or damage to the kidneys.
Scars on the kidney can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension) but again this is very uncommon. Children who have damage to both kidneys can have chronic kidney damage and need to be followed long term in clinic. Again it should be stressed that most children with urine infections do not have long term damage.
NKF Controlled Document No. 126, Children with Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection — A guide for families — Will urine infection damage my child’s kidneys?, written 16 July 2004. Last reviewed 1 September 2008.
Content compiled by members of the Children’s Renal & Urology Unit, QMC, Nottingham.
The National Kidney Federation cannot accept responsibility for information provided. The above is for guidance only. Patients are advised to seek further information from their own doctor.
Page created: 16 July 2004
Last updated: 3 August 2007
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