Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis in Children

In the case of urinary tract infection, diagnosis in children involves taking a urine sample. Urine samples for younger children may be taken using a collection bag, a catheter, or a needle placed directly into the bladder; older children may be asked to urinate into a container. If any bacteria or pus is found in the urine sample, the healthcare provider will know that the child has a urinary tract infection. After a urinary tract infection diagnosis in children is made, doctors will be able to prescribe treatment based on the type of bacteria that are present in the urine sample.

Pediatric Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis in Children: An Introduction

To determine if your child has a urinary tract infection, you will need to take your child in to see the doctor.

Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis in Children: Urine Test

In order to make a urinary tract infection diagnosis in children, doctors will need to collect and examine a urine sample. The way urine is collected will depend on the child's age. Methods to collect urine include the following:

Your healthcare provider may place a plastic collection bag over your child's genital area. It will be sealed to the skin with an adhesive strip.
An older child may be asked to urinate into a container. The sample needs to come as directly into the container as possible to avoid picking up bacteria from the skin or rectal area.
A doctor or nurse may need to pass a small tube into the urethra. Urine will drain directly from the bladder into a clean container through this tube, called a catheter.
A doctor may need to place a needle directly into the bladder through the skin of the lower abdomen. Getting urine through the tube or needle will ensure that the urine collected is pure.

(Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis in Children Continued: Page 2)