How can diapers contribute to urinary tract infections in infants?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

The most common cause of urinary tract infection is invasion into the urethra of Escherichia coli, a type of bacterium that normally inhabits the bowel. — urinary tract infection The most common cause of urinary tract infection is invasion into the urethra of *Escherichia coli*, a type of bacterium that normally inhabits the bowel.

In infants, diapers can contribute to the development of a urinary tract infection (UTI) because they can facilitate the entry of microorganisms into the urethra.1

By keeping the area around the urethra moist and potentially in contact with fecal matter, diapers may create an environment that allows bacteria—such as Escherichia coli—to migrate into the urinary tract. Once these organisms enter the urethra, they can cause inflammation of the bladder or, if the infection spreads, lead to more serious complications in the upper urinary tract.1