Urine samples from disposable diapers: An accurate method for urine cultures

H. A. Cohen*, B. Woloch, N. Linder, A. Vardi, A. Barzilai

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND. The method of collection of the urine sample is of paramount importance in making a diagnosis of urinary tract infection in infants and children. Squeezing urine out of disposable diapers can provide a urine sample that can be used to detect chemical abnormalities as well as a specimen suitable for microscopic examination. To date there have been no reported studies on the use of this technique for urine culture as compared with samples collected by suprapubic aspiration and catheterization. METHODS. Urine was obtained from 38 infants aged under 2 years who presented with fever with no obvious cause. All infants had urine collected either by catheterization or suprapubic aspiration and by extraction from a disposable diaper. The urine samples were cultured using standard bacteriologic techniques. RESULTS. Five infants had a urinary tract infection, as shown by a pure growth of more than 105 colonies/mL of a single species of bacterium. In all the cases the same result was obtained from both the diaper urine sample and the sample obtained by suprapubic aspiration or catheter. In 31 infants the urine samples collected by both techniques (diaper and catheter or suprapubic aspiration) were negative, and in only 2 infants did the diaper specimen yield a positive result, while the urine obtained by suprapubic aspiration or catheter was sterile. CONCLUSIONS. Urine obtained from a disposable diaper can provide a valid sample for diagnosing urinary tract infection. The technique is simple, and can be carried out readily in ambulatory settings with minimal equipment and expense.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)290-292
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of Family Practice
Volume44
Issue number3
StatePublished - 1997

Keywords

  • Infant care
  • diapers, infants
  • specimen handling
  • urinary catheterization
  • urinary tract infection

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