my son who is only a year and a half is having some urinary problems....next time i bring him to the doctorhe says that they will have to put as cath in to get a clean catch urine sample....and if he contimuse to have problems it might have to stayin longer than that......is this something that is going to hurt him? what can i do to help him while this is happening---thanks

meg

My son had quite a few cathiders before he was 1 2/3. I think it does hurt and it broke my heart everytime. But, if it ment figuring out what was or wasn't wrong with him I knew it had to be done. I suggest that you let daddy or another man(that he trusts and loves) go in with him. Mommys (like me) are sometimes really emotional. You be there afterwards to comfort him

I work in Paediatric Hospital as a Registered Nurse and am unsure as to why the doctor has the need to insert a catheter just to collect a clean urine sample. I don't believe that this is totally necessary to do this. I agree it is difficult when children are unable to control their urine but probably just by cleaning the penis thoroughly and then putting a paediatric urine collection bag around the penis, you can get a urine collection easier.

I assume it is mainly to diagnose a urinary tract infection. Yes a catheter would hurt although it would be good practice for the doctor to use topical anaesthetic gel on the tip of the catheter prior to inserting it!

Cheers,


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Nurse_oz is a Registered Nurse who works in a Major Paediatric Hospital in Australia