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As the Victorian State election will be held on Saturday 28 November 2026, the Victorian Government will assume a Caretaker role from 6pm on 3 November 2026. During the caretaker period, content will only be added to this website in accordance with the Caretaker Conventions. See Guidelines for Caretaker Conventions.

Primary Care Liaison

Urinary Tract Infection - pre-referral guideline

  • Introduction

    This guideline relates to urinary tract infections (UTI) in paediatric patients. For more information on assessment and management, please see: Clinical Practice Guidelines:Urinary tract infection

    Unless referred by a paediatrician, paediatric patients with confirmed or suspected UTI without a fever will most likely be seen by General Medicine in the first instance.

    When to refer

    • Patients <18 years
    • Abnormal renal ultrasound with the following (urgent <30 days):
      • Signs of renal impairment
      • Anatomical defect such as hydronephrosis
    • Recurrent afebrile UTI (more than 3 in one year)
    • Associated hypertension
    • Do not refer if single afebrile UTI >24 months of age with no other findings

    If any of the following are present or suspected, please direct the patient to the Emergency Department (no referral required):

    • Infant <1 month of age
    • Any infant <6 months of age with signs of sepsis

    Wait time for appointments at RCH

    Specialist Clinic wait times

    Services available closer to home

    Alternative paediatric services available in Victoria:

    • Eastern Health
    • Monash Medical Centre
    • Sunshine Hospital
    • The Northern Hospital
    • The  Austin
    • Werribee Mercy

    Referral criteria/required information

    • Detailed history and assessment, including duration of symptoms and details of all treatments offered or tried
    • Assessment of bladder and bowel function (including constipation)
    • Growth charts, including current height and weight
    • Observations including temperature and BP
    • Urine MCS
    • Renal ultrasound report

    How to refer

    Specialist Clinics referral

    Please complete the above and submit via:

    • Facsimile: (03) 9345 5034 or
    • Email screferrals@rch.org.au
    • Urgent referral or clinical query call (03) 9345 5522

    Suggested pre-referral management

    • Consider role of prophylactic antibiotics
    • Do not arrange a routine VCUG (voiding cystourethrogram)

    Information for families

    Kids Health Info:Urinary tract infection (UTI)

    Resources and inks

    Acknowledgements

    The development of this guideline reviewed in June 2026.