[Perineal bag versus urethral catheterization of suprapubic aspiration for the diagnosis of urinary tract infections in infants in emergency units].

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to determine the utility of urine cultures collected by sterile perineal bags as a method of diagnosis of urinary tract infection in infants.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Forty-two patients, aged 0 to 27 months, were diagnosed with urinary tract infections based on the growth of more than 100,000 colonies/ml in two urine cultures collected by sterile bags. Confirmation of the infection was done by urine cultures obtained by suprapubic aspiration or urethral catheterization. A urinalysis was simultaneously performed.

RESULTS

Urinary tract infection was confirmed in only 6 out of 42 patients. The positive predictive value of the sterile bag was 14%, increasing to 42% combined with an abnormal urinalysis.

CONCLUSIONS

The sterile perineal bag is not an accurate method to collect urine for diagnosis of urinary tract infections in febrile infants or those who need prompt diagnosis and treatment.