10 year old boy with recurring UTI

My son is 10 years old.  He has never had problems with his kidneys or bladder before.  On November 1, 2005 he complained with hurting with urination.  The next morning he said he passed something and he felt a little better.  But, he had blood in his urine.  I took him to the doctor, the urine test showed nothing.  Symptoms progressed and he was in a lot of pain, had blood in the urine and complained with hurting in the left flank area and stomach.  Finally a week later he was found with a kidney infection.  After taking the antiboitic, he seems to feel a little better but two days after finishing the antiboitic he started complaining again. He had another UTI.  He was put into the hospital and given IV antiboitics and sent home with an antiboitic by mouth.  An IVP was done and it was said to be normal.  A cystoscope was done and the urologist says that his kidneys and bladder are fine and his problem is not in the urinary tract.  But, now still on antiboitic by mouth and four days later (after leaving hospital)  he is still complaining with pain in the left flank area and the stomach.  I don't know where to go from here.  What should I do?

Thanks,  Amanda

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There has already been a comprehensive evaluation performed.  

One consideration would be vesicoureteral reflux.  This is retrograde passage of urine from the bladder to the upper GU tract, and can lead to UTIs in children.

The test that would diagnose this would be a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) or a radionuclide cystogram (RNC).  Most children diagnosed with a UTI should have a VCUG considered.

These options can be discussed with your urologist.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
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