A novel urine collection device for accurate urinary measurements in neonates and pre-continent infants

BACKGROUND: Urine collection from neonates and infants is challenging. All available urine collection methods (UCMs) have their disadvantages, like invasiveness, contamination, and/or inaccurate measurements of urinary components. This study aimed to demonstrate the accuracy of measurements of urinary components for the novel non-invasive 'Specturi urine collector device'. METHODS: The urine collection textile was incubated under different conditions (incubation duration, temperature, and humidity) with either artificial or human urine. Concentrations of urinary components were compared before and after incubation. Because of suspected crystal formation, the effect of acidification was assessed in combination with crystal analysis. RESULTS: Urinary concentrations of calcium, magnesium, phosphate, sodium, creatinine, and protein, and pH were accurately measured, except for the calcium concentration in alkaline urines. The incubation conditions showed no to a small effect on the measurement of urinary components, which does not affect clinical decision-making. Crystals containing calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus formed on the textile after incubation with alkaline urine. Acidification recovered the calcium concentration in these urines. CONCLUSION: The non-invasive 'Specturi urine collector device' provides accurate measurements of urinary components under different conditions. This UCM is more accurate than other textile-based UCMs. Eventually, this device can be used as an accurate as well as patient- and staff-friendly UCM. IMPACT: All urine collection methods for neonates and pre-continent infants have their disadvantages, and textile-based urine collection methods provide inaccurate measurements of urinary components. Furthermore, the effect of changing environmental conditions on measurements of urinary components is unknown for these urine collection methods. This study introduces the 'Specturi urine collector device', a novel non-invasive urine collection device. This device provides accurate measurements for different urinary components under different conditions, like incubation duration, temperature, and humidity. The results show that the 'Specturi urine collector device' has the potential to become an alternative non-invasive urine collection method that is accurate, and patient- and staff-friendly.