<s>[INST] How are UTIs diagnosed? What can we expect at a doctor's appointment? [/INST] When a child is experiencing symptoms that may be indicative of a UTI, it’s best to see a pediatrician or visit urgent care, or an emergency room if the child has a high fever. 

UTIs are diagnosed by obtaining a urine sample which will be sent for a urinalysis and a urine culture. The urinalysis will give insight into if the child is experiencing a urinary tract infection right away whereas the urine culture test will result in a few days which could further guide treatment. 

If your child is toilet trained, the urine sample will be taken by having them pee into a cup. If your child is still in diapers, the urine sample is often obtained by using a catheter (a very small, temporary tube inserted into the bladder) to ensure that the sample is not contaminated by other organisms found in a diaper or on the child’s skin. In some circumstances, a bagged urine sample can screen for a UTI in a child but, when possible, UTI should be confirmed by a catheterized urine in a non-toilet trained child. 

If your child is experiencing recurrent or severe UTIs, your provider may suggest a referral to a urology specialist. At this visit, a detailed medical history will be taken, and the family may be asked to fill out a “voiding diary” about when the child pees and poops. Urologists may request X-rays to look at the amount of stool retention or an ultrasound to look at the bladder and kidneys  Source: LURIE CHILDRENS ORG. Link: https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/blog/common-questions-about-urinary-tract-infections-in-children/. Field: Urology. Disease: Urinary Tract Infection </s>