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Published on: January 5, 2017
How to… collect urine samples from young children
Jonathan Kaufman1,2,3
1Department of General Practice Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Collecting urine samples from young children for infection diagnosis is challenging. This review compares non-invasive, stimulation, and invasive methods, detailing procedures and contamination reduction strategies for pediatric urine collection.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Clinical Diagnostics
- Urology
Background:
- Urine sample collection is crucial for diagnosing urinary tract infections in children.
- Obtaining uncontaminated urine samples from precontinent children presents significant challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and compare various pediatric urine collection methods.
- To provide guidance on optimizing success rates and minimizing contamination during urine collection in children.
Main Methods:
- Review of non-invasive methods (urine pads, bags, clean catch).
- Evaluation of voiding stimulation techniques (bladder-lumbar stimulation, Quick-Wee).
- Analysis of invasive methods (catheterization, suprapubic aspiration).
Main Results:
- Non-invasive methods are convenient but prone to contamination and time-consuming.
- Voiding stimulation can speed up clean catch collection.
- Invasive methods offer higher reliability but require expertise and cause discomfort.
Conclusions:
- Each urine collection method for children has distinct advantages and limitations.
- Understanding these methods is key to successful and minimally invasive pediatric urine sample collection.
- Strategies exist to improve success and reduce contamination across all collection types.
Abstract:
Urine samples are commonly collected from young children to diagnose or exclude urinary tract infections, but collection from precontinent children is challenging. Each collection method has advantages and limitations. Non-invasive methods (urine pads, bags, clean catch) are convenient but can be time-consuming and are limited by sample contamination. Voiding stimulation methods (bladder-lumbar stimulation, Quick-Wee) can expedite clean catch collection. Invasive methods (catheter, suprapubic aspiration) can be more reliable, but require expertise to perform and cause pain for the child. This article reviews each collection method, and describes collection procedures, indications and strategies to optimise success and reduce contamination.
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