Getting urine specimen in 8mo old

[wombat]

8 mo old ds has had a low grade fever for a few days and it's going up, at 104 now so I'm going to take him to the doctor.

I know they'll want to test for UTI but how do they get a urine specimen from an uncirced 8mo old? Are they going to try to retract him to do it. I'm sure I've read something about they just slide the tube in without retracting, of course I can't find the info now. couldn't see anything in the stickys either. and surfing with grumpy baby on knee isn't too easy.

anyone got some quick info before we go to dr. this morning?

(it's a ped clinic and they're pretty progressive, haven't had any probs with them before about retracting).

ETA post is a big vague I guess, my question is Do drs/nurses THINK they have to retract an uncirced baby to do a urine cath?

[CallMeMommy]

For an 8-month-old I'm assuming they'll want to cath. My suggestion is to insist on a bag specimen first, where they tape a special baggie to the outside of his penis and wait for him to pee. They may try and tell you it's impossible to get a clean specimen this way, but if it were me I'd try this first and if it comes back showing any bacteria, THEN proceed to a cath. If it comes out clean, it's clean, no need for a cath. If they do cath him, GUARD HIS PENIS WITH YOUR LIFE!!! Tell them he is NOT to be retracted for ANY reason, and if he is you'll file assault charges with the police (seriously). If they balk at this tell them they're obviously not educated on how to cath an intact penis so please go find someone who is. DO NOT assume they know not to retract it.

[mamatoablessing]

I agree with pp. Do not let them cath him, without getting him bagged and doing preliminary testing on that urine sample. My ped wouldn't even consider a cath without doing the baggy sample first. They will clean DS's genitals with iodine and then “tape” this special bag around his penis and wait for him to pee. It did take us 2 hours for DD to pee, but she finally did. And they were able to tell from that sample that it wasn't a UTI so they didn't have to unnecessarily cath her. make sure to bring lots of water for DS to drink, or do lots of nursing so that it won't take long.

I hope it's not a UTI! And definitely don't let them retract him to instert the cath-they should be able to find the urethra w/o pulling his foreskin back. Just watch closely and don't be afraid to jump in, stop them and ask questions. Good luck!

[wombat]

Yay, he got a rash. Roseola I'm sure. I've never been so happy to see a rash before I can't believe it, right as I was packing to go to hospital, I changed his diaper and noticed the rash. It wasn't there this morning when we got up. So no hospital visit now

He's had some ongoing stuffiness and 'froggy' sounding throat, and combined with this rising fever and a nagging dh (who works in medical clinic and always thinks the worst) I thought I should get him checked out. But must be the lingering effects of a cold he had plus the roseola.

When my dd was 11 mo and had a high fever, I panicked and took her to Dr. and they did urine cath and blood draw Next day she got the roseola rash. I was afraid they'd want to do the same to ds, and I don't trust them cath'ing uncirced boys.

Thanks! Glad to hear they don't have to retract to cath. I'm sure I'll need that info in future anyhow.

[mamatoablessing]

Wow-I am so glad! My DD had Roseola last month (ran a 104.5 fever for 24 hours straight). When I first read your post I thought it might be Roseola with that high fever...

What a relief not to have to deal with the bag or cath or whatever!

Hope he feels better real soon!

[Quirky]

Glad to hear A has roseola and not a UTI! Poor little guy. : :