The main reason to insert a bladder catheter in male children is to Collect a sterile urine sample for testing in very young children who cannot void on command Less common reasons include: Relief of acute or chronic urinary retention (obstructive uropathy) Intermittent catheterization of a neurogenic bladder Instillation of contrast agent for cystourethrography Bladder irrigation Instillation of a drug Monitoring of urine output in certain hospitalized patients (indwelling catheter; not discussed here) Contraindications Absolute contraindications Suspected urethral disruption from recent urethral trauma In trauma patients, lower urinary tract disruption (suggested by perineal hematoma, bleeding from the meatus, or pelvic bone injury) should be ruled out by retrograde urethrography (and sometimes cystoscopy) before doing bladder catheterization Relative contraindications Known major abnormalities of the lower urinary tract History of urethral strictures Prior urethral or bladder neck reconstruction History of difficult catheter placement Complications Complications include Superficial urethral or bladder injury with bleeding (common) Urinary tract infection (UTI; common) Creation of false passages Scarring and strictures Bladder perforation (rare) Paraphimosis, if the foreskin is not reduced after the procedure Equipment Sometimes prepackaged kits are available; if not, equipment required typically includes Sterile drapes and gloves An absorbent underpad Antiseptic solution (eg, povidone iodine, chlorhexidine) with applicator sticks, cotton balls, or gauze pads Sterile water-soluble lubricant (with or without 2% lidocaine) Sterile cup for collecting urine specimen Urethral catheter size varies with age: neonate (full term) to 6 months—5 to 6 French (Fr); infant or toddler—6 to 8 Fr; prepuberal child—10 to 12 Fr; adolescent—12 to 14 Fr Washcloth for removing antiseptic solution after the procedure Additional Considerations Sterile technique is necessary to prevent a lower UTI.