What Is a Urine Test?

Testing a urine sample can help doctors find out what's going on when someone has an infection or other problem in kidneys, bladder, or other parts of the urinary tract.

To help your child get ready for a urine test, find out if they need to avoid any specific foods or activity before the test, or should stop taking any medicines.

Urine tests are painless. To help ease any fears, explain in simple terms how the test is done and why it's needed. Make sure your child understands that the urinary opening (urethra) must be cleaned as instructed and the pee must be collected midstream. Things like toilet paper or hair must not get in the sample.

What Is a Microscopic Urinalysis?

Doctors often do a microscopic urinalysis as part of an overall urinalysis. After a urine (pee) sample is collected, it's put into a centrifuge. This special machine separates the liquid in the pee from any solid components, such as blood cells, mineral crystals, or microorganisms. Any solid materials are then checked under a microscope.

If your daughter is having her period at the time of the test, let the doctor know.

Why Are Microscopic Urinalyses Done?

A microscopic urinalysis can help when doctors suspect problems like a urinary tract infection (UTI), kidney problems, a metabolic disorder such as diabetes, or a urinary tract injury.

If the test results show a possible problem, the doctor might order other tests.

What if I Have Questions?

If you have questions about the microscopic urinalysis, talk to your doctor.