Urinary catheters

There are different types of urinary catheters.

Indwelling catheters

These can be either urethral or suprapubic. The care of both of these is similar. Parents of young children need to:

• Make sure that the catheter is taped to the abdominal wall and replace the tape if it becomes loose or dirty
• Check the tubing regularly to prevent it becoming kinked
• Keep the collection bag below waist level but off the floor. Shoulder bags can be supplied
• Ensure that children do not ride bikes or straddle other toys that might result in the catheter becoming tangled
• Ensure that children avoid rough and tumble play which can cause damage to the catheter or operation site (suprapubic catheters only)
• Encourage the child to drink plenty of fluids to ensure a good flow of urine and prevent blockage and infection
• Empty the collection bag at least four times a day
• Change the collection bag once a week or if the bag becomes disconnected
• Contact the GP or hospital if the urine becomes infected (urine is darker, smells, or is cloudy or child develops a temperature), stops draining, leaks or if the catheter falls out.

Clean intermittent catheterisation (CIC)

This involves insertion of a catheter through the urethra into the bladder about 4 to 6 times a day. Children should not go more than 8 hours without performing a CIC at night. Insertion should be carried out in clean conditions – thorough handwashing etc. Catheters are reused so they need to be cleaned immediately after insertion and sterilised once a day. Parents should contact the GP or hospital if they have difficulty inserting the catheter, or if there are signs of urinary infection.

The age at which a child can independently perform CIC varies. The average age is about 8 years but can be as young as 5.