Your child’s urine colors can range from clear to dark yellow to orange, depending on how hydrated they are. But what about red, brown, green or blue?

Pink or red urine may be due to foods or drinks, such as beets or blackberries, but could also be from blood in the urine. Things like urinary tract infections, trauma, kidney inflammation, stones, malignancy, medications, and urologic problems could be the cause of bloody urine.

Brown urine, like cola-colored, could also mean there is blood present due to kidney inflammation. Liver issues or muscle breakdown from working out excessively could cause brownish urine.

Parents should take their child to the emergency department if there is pink, red, or brown urine associated with pain, edema or high blood pressure.

Different food dyes or medicines can cause blue or green urine. Some types of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections can also turn urine these colors. Rare genetic diseases can also lead to these color findings.

See a doctor if your child’s urine color is concerning. Your child may be referred to a pediatric nephrologist or urologist.

Checklist:

• Is my child taking any medicine that could cause the unusual color?
• Did my child eat something with food dye or coloring?

RELATED:

How to Tell if Your Child is Dehydrated (checkupnewsroom.com) 

It’s summer! That magical time of the year when school is out, and kids can be more active. It also brings sweltering temperatures, which leads to sweaty, thirsty children that can become dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to nausea, dizziness, headache, or even heat stroke.

So, how can you tell if your child is staying hydrated? Ask them what color their pee is! Urine color has been found to be a good marker of how hydrated a person is. Keep reading to find out if your child is staying adequately hydrated. (This, of course, also applies to adults.)

This is an 8-color urine color chart.

Some things to keep in mind:

• When hydrating, water is best, but other fluids count if they don’t include caffeine.
• The amount of fluid that should be consumed differs from person to person depending on weight; ask your child’s pediatrician for an estimate.
• Urine that has no color/transparent means overhydration; cut back on water intake; there is such a thing as water intoxication.
• Some vitamin supplements, like those containing B vitamins, can turn urine bright yellow.

What is a UTI?

A UTI is an infection of the urinary tract or the bladder.

What are the symptoms?

Fever is the number one symptom. Parents and older children should also be looking out for a different smell or color change when urinating. In school-aged children and teens, they may complain that it hurts when they go to the bathroom. Older children may experience fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, or even back pain. Teens may also notice they are urinating more frequently and may have a burning sensation when they go to the bathroom.

Can you get a UTI without having underlying issues?

Yes. Drs. Combs and Chong both agree it’s common for girls to get a UTI without underlying medical issues. If proper hygiene is followed, they believe UTIs often happen because of female anatomy and how close everything is in that specific area.

Are UTIs treatable?

Yes, UTIs are treatable with antibiotics. If a UTI festers for a long period, it can cause a more severe infection that may have to be treated with IV antibiotics as opposed to oral.

Are boys or girls more susceptible to the infection?

Girls are more likely to get a UTI because bacteria from the outside of the body can get inside the urethra, which is shorter in girls. In younger girls who are still in diapers, UTIs can happen if they have excessive diarrhea. Older girls can contract UTI’s from not wiping front to back, or practicing poor hygiene. The highest risk for a UTI is in girls, followed by uncircumcised boys, and then boys who are circumcised.

What advice would you give to parents?

Dr. Chong: Adequate fluid intake is important to help flush things out. For younger children, ensure that you’re teaching them how to wipe properly from front to back and do not allow them to sit and play in dirty bathwater for too long as that can cause irritation and lead to symptoms that can look like a UTI.

Dr. Combs: Stay hydrated as we begin to hit the summer months. Be sure to take a shower and change clothes or change out of any sweaty clothes if you’re not taking a shower. Moisture affects bladder health and female health.

Important to note:

UTI’s have similar symptoms to sexually transmitted infections (STI) such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. If your child is sexually active, you may want to get them checked out for a UTI and STIs.