Stool Collection / Culture
Why does my child need stool testing?
Lab testing is done on stool to detect bacterial, parasitic and viral infections. Stool can also be tested for blood. This enables the physician to appropriately treat your child's illness. The stool culture test looks for bacteria in the stool.
Will this test be painful?
This test will not be painful to your child.
How should I prepare my child for a stool culture?
Potty-trained child
Collect stool in a clean container. A plastic bowl is acceptable if it has been thoroughly washed. The child should have a bowel movement in the container without urinating in the stool.
Child in diapers
Line the diaper with plastic wrap to make stool collection easier. Plastic baggies with adhesive tape are available from the lab. To use these, remove the paper backing and place baggie around anal opening. Peel off after bowel movement. A diaper may be used "inside out" with the plastic side next to the skin. Keep plastic wraps out of the child's reach.
- If you have been given a long tube with gel on the bottom of it (a Carey-Blair Media), you may take 2 Q-tips with a small amount of stool on them and insert these into the Carey-Blair Media. Break or cut off the ends of the Q-tips and put the lid back on. This container will preserve your child's specimen.
- You must bring the specimen to the lab within 24 hours of taking the sample. If you do not have this tube, the fresh stool must be taken to the lab within two hours of taking the specimen.
- Try to keep urine out of the stool you are collecting for testing.
- Call your doctor if you are having trouble obtaining the stool for testing.
- The specimen should not be refrigerated but kept at room temperature.
Contact us
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
PEP 3102 III 7/98
Rev. 9/04, 12/07
