Elsevier

The Journal of Pediatrics

Volume 135, Issue 6, December 1999, Pages 765-767
The Journal of Pediatrics

Accuracy of clean-catch urine collection in infancy,☆☆

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3476(99)70099-5Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective: To compare the accuracy of cultures of urine obtained by clean-catch urine (CCU) collection and suprapubic aspiration (SPA) in infants. Design: Prospective case series undertaken in a pediatric teaching hospital and associated neonatal unit. Fifty-eight paired urine cultures (CCU collection and SPA) were obtained from 49 infants with suspected urinary tract infection. The primary outcome measure was the presence or absence of significant bacteriuria on both CCU collection and SPA; secondary outcome measures were the success of SPA with ultrasound guidance compared with aspiration without ultrasound guidance. Statistical analysis was done by using a χ2 test. Results: A false-positive rate of 5% and a false-negative rate of 12% were recorded. Sensitivity was 88.9% (95% CI 65.3-98.6), and specificity was 95.0% (95 CI% 83.1-99.4). Ultrasound-assisted SPA was successful in 26 of 28 patients (93%) and in 13 of 21 patients (62%) when SPA was performed without ultrasound (χ2 = 7.08, P = .008). Conclusions: We conclude that there is a good association in results of culture of urine obtained by CCU collection and SPA and would encourage the use of the CCU technique. (J Pediatr 1999;135:765-7)

Section snippets

PATIENTS AND METHODS

After local ethics committee approval was obtained, patients younger than 24 months in whom urine culture was indicated were identified from The Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, and its associated neonatal unit. Infants with paired urine cultures obtained by both SPA and CCU collection within a 48-hour period, in the absence of prior or intervening antibiotic therapy, were recruited.

Urine was collected by SPA with the technique described by Nelson and Peters.8 Clean-catch specimens

RESULTS

The results of both CCU and SPA cultures are shown in the Table.

Table. Urine culture results

Empty CellSPA positiveSPA negative
CCU positive162
CCU negative238
Total1840
A false-positive rate of 5% and a false-negative rate of 12% were recorded, with a sensitivity of 88.9% (95% CI 65.3-98.6) and a specificity of 95.0% (95% CI 83.1-99.4).

Of 16 cultures in which SPA and CCU were positive, Escherichia coli was identified in 14, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 1, and Candida albicans in 1. The 2 specimens that were

DISCUSSION

Rapid and accurate diagnosis of UTI is extremely important in view of the prevalence in the febrile infant.9 However, difficulty in specimen collection and interpretation of inadequately collected specimens may contribute to the underdiagnosis and underinvestigation of UTI in childhood, both in the hospital7 and in the office environment.10 This may result in an increased risk of renal scarring,11 especially in infants with underlying abnormalities of the urinary tract. Similarly, a

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    If UTI is suspected based on bag specimen, urine should be recollected via catheterization or SPA. Some studies have suggested that a clean-catch specimen can be obtained from infants and young children using suprapubic and sacral stimulation procedures.22–24 Although this is an attractive option to avoid invasive procedures and can be done without special equipment in the clinical setting, there is a high risk of culture contamination.

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Reprint requests: Ian J. Ramage, MBChB, MPCP(UK), MRCPCH, Renal Unit, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow, Scotland, UK G3 8SJ.

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