OFFICE SCREENING FOR ASYMPTOMATIC URINARY-TRACT INFECTIONS - EVALUATION OF A PRACTICAL, ECONOMIC AND RELIABLE METHOD OF SCREENING THE URINES OF ASYMPTOMATIC GIRLS IN A BUSY PEDIATRIC OFFICE

The urines of 3,270 asymptomatic girls were screened at annual physical examinations. The urines were collected in Dixie Cups® without prior preparation of the perineum and cultured on 5% sheep cell agar. Less than 2% of the specimens showed significant growth, thus requiring no follow-up visits by 98% of the patients. Slightly less than 0.5% were found to have asymptomatic urinary tract infections. The procedure was found to be practical, economically feasible and reliable, and was well accepted by both the parents and patients.