What is typically the most common symptom of a urinary tract infection in children?

Fever is often the most common symptom of a urinary tract infection (UTI) in children. This is primarily due to the body's immune response to the infection, triggering a rise in body temperature as part of the inflammatory process. In younger children, especially infants and toddlers, fever can sometimes be the only apparent symptom, making it crucial for caregivers and healthcare providers to recognize it as a potential indicator of a UTI.

While nausea, flank pain, and hives can occur in various medical conditions, they are not typically associated with UTIs in children. Nausea may arise from other gastrointestinal issues, flank pain is more characteristic of kidney-related problems rather than a straightforward UTI, and hives are more indicative of an allergic reaction rather than an infection. Hence, fever stands out as the most common and significant symptom indicating a possible urinary tract infection in pediatric patients.