Suprapubic Aspiration

Suprapubic aspiration is a procedure for collecting a urine sample by inserting a needle through the skin just above the pubic bone directly into the bladder. It is used mainly in infants and young children under about two years old who are suspected of having a urinary tract infection and cannot urinate on command, and it is particularly useful for uncircumcised boys with a tight foreskin or girls with labial issues, since it avoids the complications of urethral catheterization. The bladder is confirmed full, the skin is cleaned with antiseptic and sometimes numbed, the urethra is occluded to prevent voiding, and a thin needle on a syringe is advanced until urine is obtained, after which pressure is applied and the sample sent for laboratory testing.