Case Study: A 6-Year-Old Girl's Recovery After Hospitalization for Fever and Abdominal Pain (UTI Ruled Out)

When your child develops a fever and abdominal pain, hearing that their kidneys appear swollen can be incredibly frightening. It is completely natural for parents to immediately worry about severe urinary tract infections (UTIs) or structural abnormalities in the urinary system. In these situations, a step-by-step diagnostic approach is crucial to accurately determine if there is an active infection or a structural blockage.

This case study highlights a child admitted for a suspected UTI. Through comprehensive evaluation, we successfully ruled out any severe urinary tract diseases, allowing the child to recover safely and comfortably.  

Patient Information

• Age/Sex: 6 years old (Born 2019, Female)
• Hospitalization Period: December 21 – December 25, 2025
• Reason for Visit: Referred and admitted for a suspected UTI presenting with fever and abdominal pain.

Diagnosis and Evaluation Process

• Comprehensive blood and urine tests were conducted upon admission.
• Urine culture results showed no definitive signs of a bacterial infection.
• An abdominal and renal ultrasound revealed mild dilation (swelling) in both kidneys, along with inflammatory changes in the bladder.

Through additional imaging-based evaluations, we successfully ruled out vesicoureteral reflux (urine flowing backward into the kidneys) as well as any structural anomalies that would require surgical intervention.

Based on these findings, our medical team concluded that the child was likely experiencing a temporary inflammatory response and a transient change in urinary function, rather than a severe, deep-seated infection.  

Treatment and Recovery

• Administered IV fluids and supportive care during her stay.
• Fever and abdominal pain gradually subsided.
• Inflammatory markers returned to normal ranges.
• The patient remained stable with no recurrence of urinary symptoms.
• Discharged safely after confirming full clinical improvement.

For her post-discharge care plan, we recommended: ✔ Maintaining plenty of fluid intake ✔ Returning to the clinic promptly if symptoms reappear ✔ Scheduling an outpatient follow-up ultrasound to monitor kidney health

Case Summary and Our Approach

For this young patient presenting with fever and abdominal pain, we utilized a careful, systematic approach to: ✔ Check for active infection ✔ Rule out structural abnormalities ✔ Screen for vesicoureteral reflux ✔ Evaluate functional changes

By taking this precise, step-by-step approach, we avoided unnecessary medical treatments and ensured a safe, smooth recovery.

At Tunteun Children’s Hospital, we never simply brush off a child’s symptoms. We are committed to providing parents with true peace of mind by clearly distinguishing between conditions that require immediate intervention and those that can be safely managed with careful observation.