At a loss...3 yr old intact son w/ 2nd UTI in one month

[MomToNick]

Hi all,

My son was born at 28 weeks, spent 92 days in the NICU. At 2 months old (while still in the hospital) he developed his first UTI. It almost killed him, it went into his blood and caused him to be septic. I chose not to circ him before we left the hospital. He had a VCUG, everything looked fine.

Then, shortly after he turned 1, he developed another UTI, and again went into his bloodstream, tested postive for e coli. He was very sick, in the hospital for 5 days, on IV antibiotics for 10 days and oral for another 10 days. At this point he had an ultrasound, everything ok there.

Then no problems for 2 years. Then 3 weeks ago he started complaining that he had pain. I came here and thought maybe he was separating, as he was having some white discharge too, and he was not running a fever like he did with the other two. Well, over 2 days the pain got really bad and then I smelled ammonia in his urine, and he had a trace of blood in his diaper (in the process of potty training) Tested positive obviously. Put him on sulfameth for 10 days.
Ok, he was done with that 2 weeks ago, and I noticed he was grabbing himself, and noticed again the ammonia smell, and again he tested positive.

My son has another health condition that can make infections dangerous for him. Luckily, he has not run fevers, and I think they are originating in the urethra and not travelling to his bladder. But what the heck do I do now? Has anyone had isssues with recurring UTI's??? I clean him normally, he does not retract at all....any ideas here?

Thanks!

Jen

[Marsupialmom]

Have y'all been going to the pool? I know with little girls this can be an issue. If your son has an underlying condition he might be more prone.

Also, I am prone to yeast infections. If I sit around in a wet bathing suit I get a yeast infection, then a bladder infection. I have been treated more than once for both a day or two after swimming.

Also, if he is learning the potty could he not be voiding properly?

Has he been constipated http://www.aafp.org/afp/980515ap/heller.html

[sosurreal09]

i feel like people can be more prone than others. when i was a kid i used to get UTIs alot.
(((hugs))) you have been through alot mama!

[2boyzmama]

You say you clean him normally...how? With an intact foreskin, don't retract at all, don't use any soaps or harsh chemicals. Did you recently change diapers? Detergents? Anything that could be causing irritation thus making infection easier to take hold?

What was the bacteria from his last two infections, was it also e. coli? If so, he may be colonized with a higher level than normal, ask about ways to get that under control. I'd get him on a strong probiotic.

Is he possibly overrun with yeast? Something is messing with his immune system, and it's NOT his foreskin!!

Kidney ultrasound and VCUG were both normal? What about his bowels? It might be worth a lower GI to look for abnormalities with his colon that could put pressure on his internal urethra or bladder.

Did they do antibiotic sensitivities on his last two infections? They grow the cultures in the lab for a few days and expose to different antibiotics to see which one is best for whatever strain of bacteria he has.

[MomToNick]

Thanks all for the input. My STBX called me this morning (it's his time with him now) and he woke up with a fever. So he took him to the Dr. These last two "infections" were diagnosed in convenient care (both happened on a weekend). His regular ped said he NEVER HAD A UTI these last two times, that it is probably normal separation, and he probably just has a virus that's causing the fever. So, he took a round of abx for nothing...and started another round...for nothing. Good lord am I mad. They cultured the first one...nothing. Nothing in the sample yesterday indicated a UTI. Are convenient cares just abx happy or something???

So, yeah, I'm thinking separation and maybe some yeast thing going on, that may be further irritating him. He has never been constipated, goes regularly, twice a day. No real change in detergents and soaps; but his dad used totally hypoallergenic stuff on him which I wouldn't think would irritate him. I've been using the same soap and detergent since he was born.

I give him a probiotic every day--primal defense--how do I know if his system is overrun with yeast? He probably eats a very carb-rich diet--lots of carbs--he also has a metabolic disorder in which he cannot metabolize fat, so he has to eat mainly carbs, and alot is made up of fruits and veggies, and alot of pasta, rice, bread products and things like that. He doesn't show any signs of an intolerance to anything.

For cleaning--just routine cleaning on the outside, no retracting.

Thanks again!!