bag urine collection

Last reviewed 07/2022

Bag urine collection is a popular technique used in the collection of a urine sample for analysis for infection in children.

The external genitalia are carefully cleaned and the bag put in place.

For the best results the urine should be collected within 20 minutes of siting the bag, particularly if it is hot and the child is sweating such that the bag slips towards the anus. Even with precautions there is a false positive rate of between 20 and 30%.

A negative result from a bag urine is reliable. A positive result should be followed by repeated bag specimens, a clean catch or suprapubic aspirate.