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Urine is a clear or pale yellow, with a mild smell in most babies. However, there can be instances when you notice strong-smelling urine in babies.If your baby is well-hydrated and urine is pale, occasional strong-smelling urine is not a cause for concern.Sometimes, a strong urine odor can be due to inadequate feeding. However, it is advised to seek pediatric evaluation if your baby has persistent foul-smelling urine.
Read this post to learn about the causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention of strong-smelling urine in babies.
Risk Factors And Causes Of Smelly Urine
The smell of a baby’s urine may change due to various factors ranging from diet to illnesses. Babies may have pungent urine due to the following reasons(1).
- Not getting enough milk and dehydration may cause dark and strong-smelling urine due to increased concentration of urine.
- Urinary tract infectionsmay cause foul-smelling urine in babies. You may also look for other UTI symptoms, such as fever, since all babies with foul-smelling urine may not have UTI.
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- Maternal dietmay influence the smell of urine in breastfed babies. Although scientific evidence is lacking, certain foods, such as onion, asparagus, and garlic, in a mother’s diet may cause an unusual smell in the baby’s urine.
- Maternal medications, such asantibiotics, may also cause malodorous urine in breastfed babies.
- Diabetes(increased blood glucose) ormaple syrupurine diseasemay cause a sweet urine odor.
- Liver failuremay also cause smelly urine in babies. This is usuallyassociated with jaundice(yellow skin).
Point to considerDr. Sharon Wiener德克萨斯州执照的儿科医生,说,“If your baby’s urine smells like vinegar, it is generally due to mild dehydration from not taking in fluids (breast milk) overnight. But it can also be due to something mom has eaten; for example, asparagus. If the odor is persistent and does not resolve quickly, it is always better to present it to your pediatrician to ensure it is not a urinary tract infection.”
Sometimes urine may smell different as babies grow older. Not changing nappies for a long time may also cause smelly urine. Some babies could have foul-smelling urine without any other issues. You may consult a pediatrician if you are concerned.
Symptoms And Signs That May Occur With Smelly Urine
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You may notice the following signs and symptoms of possible underlying conditions in babies with persistent smelly urine(2).
- Foamy or cloudy urine
- Dark urine such as bloody, tea-colored, or pink-tinged
- Dribbling of urine
- Oliguria or no urine
- Fever
- EdemaiXSwelling caused by fluid in the body’s tissues
- Symptoms of dehydration, such as sunken eyes and dry mouth
- Weakness
- Irritability
- Crying
- Lethargy
这些症状可能出现due to conditions that are also the reason behind smelly urine. If your baby is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above along with a potent urine odor, it is highly recommended that you seek pediatric care.
Be watchfulTreatment For Smelly Urine
Occasional cases of smelly urine may not require any treatment.Babies with persistent strong- or foul-smelling urine should be evaluated and treated. The treatment options may vary depending on the underlying cause.
- Rehydration therapywithintravenousiXGiving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into the vein(IV) or oral fluids for dehydration
- Frequent bottle or breastfeedingsuggested for maintaining hydration
![Breastfeeding can help maintain hydration]()
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- Antibioticsfor persistent and recurrenturinary tract infectionsiXWhen bacteria from the skin or rectum enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract
- Removal of bladder stones
- Control of diabetes and other metabolic disorders
- Maternal diet modifications
- Changing maternal or infant’s medicationsthat may cause abnormal color and smell of urine
Prevention Of Smelly Urine In Babies
Meeting the baby’s fluid requirements through feeding and fluids can dilute urine and reduce the intensity of its smell. Babies will have at least five wet diapers per day with pale or straw yellow urine if they are hydrated well. Diapers should be changed on time to prevent them from stinking. Treating and controlling underlying conditions also help to prevent offensive urine odor.
常见问题
1. Why does a baby’s urine smell like ammonia?
Urine is composed of waste products, such as urea, dissolved in water. Urea may disintegrate into ammonia in some conditions. When it is diluted, you may not feel the smell. However, concentrated urine may have a strong odor of ammonia. The following conditions may cause ammonia odor in the urine.
- Bladder stones
- Dehydration
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
An occasional ammonia smell in a baby’s urine is normal. However, if it persists, pediatricians may order tests tolook for kidneyor bladder issues.
2. Is smelly urine a sign of teething?
There is no direct link betweenteethingiXProcess of babies getting their first set of teethand urine smell in infants. You may look for signs and symptoms of other conditions that may cause strong-smelling urine in babies.
3. Why does a baby’s urine smell like poop?
If your baby’s urine smells like poop, first check for soiled diapers. Feces-smelling urine without signs of bowel movement can be due to a urinary fistula, an abnormal opening connecting the bladder to the intestines. It may cause leakage of feces into the urine, resulting in the poop smell of urine(3). Consult a doctor since it may increase the risk of urinary tract infections and require surgical correction.
4. What does my baby’s sweet-smelling urine indicate?
Dr. Wiener observes,“The most common cause in babies is the metabolic disorder, maple sugar urine disease. This is generally picked up on a baby’s neonatal screens at birth and two weeks. The disorder may cause significant issues if not caught early. Occasionally, a urinary tract infection can also cause sweet-smelling urine, although a foul odor is more typical. Glucose in the urine, indicating diabetes, a very rare condition in babies, can also cause sweet-smelling urine.”
5. Can diaper rash cause strong-smelling urine in babies?
Diaper rash is usually not a cause of strong urine scent in babies. On the other hand, if a diaper is not changed, then stool and urine can combine to make ammonia. This makes the diaper smell of ammonia and may cause diaper rash. It is more commonly seen with cloth diapers (4) (5）.
6. How often should I change my baby’s diaper to prevent strong-smelling urine?
Babies may require eight to 12 diaper changes a day (6）.改变尿布每个通常是明智的two to three hours and after every bowel movement to maintain proper diaper hygiene and to avoid foul urine odor in babies.
Inadequate hydration is the usual cause of strong-smelling urine in babies. Changing diapers after long intervals that can also give out a foul diaper odor. Increasing breastfeeding frequency or rehydration therapy for oral babies may resolve the problem without complications. However, some underlying conditions such as urinary tract infections, jaundice, diabetes, or maternal medications may cause a foul smell in urine. Check with a pediatrician if the condition doesn’t subside in a few days or if other symptoms such as fever, blood in urine, lethargy, or irritability are involved.
Infographic: Other Causes And Diagnostic Tests For Baby’s Smelly Urine
Foul-smelling urine may not always indicate a problem in babies, but when it is a persistent phenomenon, there may be medical reasons behind it. Here is an infographic that lists the uncommon causes of smelly urine in babies and probable diagnostic tests a doctor may suggest to evaluate the cause.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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Key Pointers
- Strong urine smell in babies could be due to varied reasons such as maternal medications or diet, or lack of milk.
- No need to worry as there are treatments depending on the cause.
- Consult a pediatrician if you notice a persistent foul smell.
References:
2.Urine Odor; Healthgrades
3.Urine Odor; MedlinePlus; US National Library of Medicine
3.Why Does My Child Have Stinky Pee? Nationwide Children’s Hospital
4.Why Does My Child Have Stinky Pee?Nationwide Children’s Hospital
5.Diaper Rash; Seattle Children’s Hospital
6.Changing Diapers; American Academy of Pediatrics
