Definition

• Pain, burning or stinging when passing urine
• Suspect pain if a young child starts to cry while passing urine
• The feeling of "can’t wait" to pass urine may occur. This is called urgency.
• Passing small amounts of urine at a time may also occur. This is called frequency.

Health Information

Causes

• Meatitis. The pain can be caused by redness at the penis opening. The irritation can be from long bubble baths. The urine sample will be normal.
• Bladder or kidney infections (urinary tract infections) are possible at any age.
• STD. In teenagers, pain when passing urine can be from diseases spread during sex. A pus-colored discharge may come out of the penis. (called drip)

Diagnosis

• A urine sample needs to be checked to make the correct diagnosis.

Care Advice

1. Overview:
   • Pain with passing urine is never normal.
   • All children with painful urination need a urine checked.
   • Until a urine test is done, here is some care advice that should help.
2. Give More Fluids:
   • Give extra fluids to drink.
   • Reason: Dilutes the urine so that it does not sting.
3. Pain Medicine:
   • For pain when passing urine, give a pain medicine.
   • Give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen.
   • Use as needed.
4. Avoid Soap:
   • Avoid bubble baths.
   • Avoid getting soap on the opening at the head of the penis.
5. What to Expect:
   • If soap is the cause, the pain should go away within 24 hours.
6. Return to School:
   • Even if your child has a bladder infection, it cannot be spread to others.
   • Your child does not need to miss any school or child care.

Call Your Doctor If

• Pain when passing urine becomes severe
• Fever occurs
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse

Author: Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP

Copyright 2000-2020 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC

Disclaimer: This health information is for educational purposes only. You the reader assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. The information contained in this handout should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. Listing of any resources does not imply an endorsement.

 #AAP