Complications of Urinary Tract Infections

Complications of urinary tract infections would not normally develop if the infection is treated properly. However, sometimes they could develop because treatment was started too late.

Some of the complications of UTI include:

1. Kidney failure due to extensive damage to the kidneys.
2. Sepsis- This occurs when the infection spreads from the urinary tract to other parts of the body. It is a very bad complication that can lead to death from septic shock if it is not treated urgently and properly.
3. In pregnant women, UTI may cause premature delivery of low birth weight or premature infants.
4. Stricture - This occurs when there is narrowing of the urethra due to scars formed after the infection heals. Scarring of the urethra will cause difficulty in passing urine.

Created - March, 2007
Last updated - August, 2009