Urine collection (infants)

How the Test is Performed:
Thoroughly wash the area around the urethra. Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end), and place it on your infant. For males, the entire penis can be placed in the bag and the adhesive attached to the skin. For females, the bag is placed over the labia. Place a diaper over the infant (bag and all). Check your baby frequently and remove the bag after the infant has urinated into it. For active infants, this procedure may take a couple of attempts--lively infants can displace the bag, causing an inability to obtain the specimen. The urine is drained into a container for transport back to the health care provider.

How to Prepare:
There is no preparation for the test. If collection is to be performed at home, a couple of extra collection bags may be needed.

How it Feels:
There is no discomfort.

Risks:
There are essentially no risks. Rarely, the infant may develop a mild skin rash from the adhesive on the collection bag.

Why this Test is Performed:
The test is performed to obtain a urine specimen from an infant.

Normal Values:
Normal values depend on what test(s) will be performed on the urine after it is collected.

Abnormal Results:
Not applicable.

Cost:
Variable, depends on the urine test to be performed.

Special Considerations:
Not applicable.


This is an illustration of the female urinary tract. The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra. The positioning in the body and relative size of the organs are also demonstrated.



This is an illustration of the male urinary tract. The female and male urinary tract are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra. The positioning and relative size of the organs are also shown.