Urine cultures

 

Urine cultures should be included in the septic work-up of sick neonates older than 3 - 7 days of age. 

 

Bacterial urine cultures may be obtained by suprapubic tap or by sterile catheterization of the urethra. 

 

If fungal infection is suspected, fungal urine cultures must be obtained by suprapubic tap due to the high risk of contamination of catheterized specimens from uncircumcised males and infants with diaper dermatitis.

 

Clean catch/bag urine samples are not acceptable for bacterial/fungal culture.  Bag urine samples may be used for CMV culture and antigen detection.

 

Reference:

Visser VE, Hall RT.  Urine culture in the evaluation of suspected neonatal sepsis. J Pediatr 1979; 94: 635-8.

Discussed at Nursery Policy & Procedure meeting 1/15/03.

        Archived Versions: V 1.0