Thousands of kids at risk of deadly sepsis as GPs fail to treat one of world’s most common infections

THOUSANDS of children in the UK are missing out on lifesaving treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs), experts have warned.

The common infection can lead to long-term kidney and bladder issues as well as sepsis – which in many cases can be fatal.

NHS guidance states that young people with long-term UTIs should be looked after by hospital specialists.

However, a charity has warned GPs are fobbing off sick kids and not referring them on, leaving many in constant pain and forcing them to miss school.

A UTI is an infection of your bladder, kidneys or the tubes connected to them.

More than half of women in the UK – and a tenth of men – will experience at least one dreaded UTI at some point in life.

And around one in 10 girls and one in 30 boys will have had a UTI by the age of 16.

In most cases, it can be treated quickly with a short course of antibiotics, which destroys the bacteria that causes the problems.

But for some, this is ineffective and the infection returns and can linger for years.

At this stage, expert intervention is crucial – but many are not receiving it.

In these cases, experts say that specialist intervention is vital, as patients need an extended course of antibiotics.

A specialist may also prescribe drugs which can sterilise the urine in the bladder.

However, many GPs are reportedly unaware that children with UTIs require specialist treatment, according to the patient group .

Alison Pearce, a director of the patient group, told The Mail On Sunday: “We regularly hear from worried parents who have a child with a drug-resistant UTI who can’t get a referral.

“Some GPs have outdated views about these infections and don’t believe they need the attention of a specialist.

“We’re also worried about the number of parents who tell us they’ve got a referral from their GP only to find out there is no specialist who can see them.”

She added: “We believe there aren’t enough NHS doctors who specialise in UTIs in children.

“Even big  don’t have the resources to treat these cases.”