Managing UTIs in Young Children: A New Guideline

Clinical Takeaway

: Most children with UTIs don’t need more than a week of antibiotics, and oral therapy is preferred when possible.

An overview of the 2026 American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection in Children from 8 Days to 5 Years of Age

Background

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections in young children, but they can be difficult to diagnose because fever is often the only symptom. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued its first evidence-based guideline on the topic in 15 years. It covers a wider age range than previously (8 days–5 years), focuses on children with low medical complexity, and removes race from UTI risk assessment.

Key Recommendations

Diagnosis

Children 2 to 24 months of age who have fever without a known source, and children 2 t…

Reviewing Author

Deborah Lehman, M.D.

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose