Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Bladder Infection in Children
Can my child’s eating, diet, or nutrition help prevent a bladder infection?
Food doesn’t play a role in preventing or treating bladder infections in children. Some research suggests that cranberry products such as juice, extracts, or pills may help prevent these infections in children, but there’s not enough evidence to be certain. Cranberry products are not an effective treatment once your child already has a bladder infection.3
Children who may have a bladder infection should see a health care professional right away for diagnosis and treatment. Cranberry products should not replace medical treatment.
Can drinking liquids help prevent or relieve a bladder infection?
Yes. Check with a health care professional about how much liquid your child should drink to prevent or relieve a bladder infection. The amount will depend on your child’s size, age, and activity level, as well as the weather. If your child lives in a hot climate and is active, he or she may need more liquid to replace fluid lost through sweat.
References
This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.
The NIDDK would like to thank:
Saul P. Greenfield, MD, FAAP, FACS, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine; Jeffrey M. Saland, MD, MSCR, Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai