Quick and easy methods for “clean-catch” urine samples

We read with interest the article by Hudson and colleagues on urinary tract infection in children.1 As clinicians working in rural and remote locations with limited staff and limited experience in invasive urine collection in children, we have successfully used a clean-catch urine collection method developed by Herreros Fernández and colleagues.2 The technique, derived from methods used for patients with bladder dysfunction, begins with breastfeeding/formula feeding the infant, followed by holding the child upright with legs dangling. After cleansing external genitalia, gentle suprapubic tapping (100 taps/min) is alternated with lumbar paravertebral massage for 30 seconds and repeated until micturition begins.2 The method is most successful in infants less than 90 days old but can be used in those who are up to six months of age.3

We are planning to attempt a recently published alternate manoeuvre, the Quick-Wee method, for infants up to 12 months of age.4 We believe these simple yet effective methods will save time and aggravation for clinicians who require urine collection in patients where invasive testing is unavailable or not indicated.