What to Expect for your Child’s VCUG at Children’s of Mississippi
What is a VCUG (Voiding Cystourethrogram)?
A VCUG is a test that uses x-ray images to take pictures of your child’s bladder and urethra to detect abnormalities in the urinary drainage system as well as bladder size, shape, and capacity.
Why is my child having a VCUG?
A VCUG helps the doctors determine how well your child’s urinary system is working and if they have a condition called bladder reflux. Bladder reflux is when the urine in the bladder flows backward to the kidneys. In a normal urinary system, urine drains from the kidneys down to the bladder. If your child has bladder reflux, we will be able to see that on this VCUG test.
What should you do prior to the exam?
There are no special preparations for your child. Your child can eat and drink like normal prior to the test.
Pregnant women will not be allowed to stay in the exam room due to x-ray radiation. Please arrange for a trusted caregiver to remain with your child throughout the test.
Please let the x-ray technologist know if your child has any current urinary tract infection symptoms, foul smelling urine, or fever.
What happens during the VCUG?
First, your child will be asked to change into a hospital gown (removing shirt, pants, underwear and socks).
Next, your child will be asked to lie on the x-ray table.
The caregiver will be able to stand at the head of the bed, holding the child's hands.
*Girls will be asked to lie in a “butterfly position,” where the bottoms of the feet are together with knees facing outward.
*Boys will be asked to lie straight as a pencil with their legs closed together.
The radiology technician will clean the area where your child pees with brown soap called betadine. This may feel cold and wet.
This is our x-ray machine that will take pictures of your child's kidneys, ureters, and bladder.
Next, a small flexible straw called a catheter will be gently inserted in the opening where your child pees (the urethra). Encourage your child to take slow, deep breaths to help their body relax.
Once the tube is placed, the x-ray technician will put tape over the catheter to keep it in place for the test.
Next, the x-ray camera will slowly slide over your child’s belly. The camera will get close but it will not touch them.
Contrast, a clear liquid that can be seen on x-rays, will flow through the catheter into your child’s bladder. As their bladder fills, pictures will be taken. This may make your child feel like they have to pee.
Once their bladder is full, your child will be asked to roll from side to side in order to get certain pictures.
Next, your child will be asked to pee (void) on the table. This may feel silly to ask the child to pee on the table, but this is an important part of the test to see how their urinary system is working and to check for reflux.
You may want to reassure your child that they are peeing out the picture water (contrast), not actual pee. There will be towels and pads on the table to catch the contrast.
Once your child’s has voided all of the contrast, a few more pictures will be taken and the catheter will be removed. The test is now complete, and the child can get off the x-ray table and get dressed into their regular clothes.
How you can help your child cope during their VCUG?
Bring your child’s favorite comfort items from home (blanket, stuffed animal, book, or tablet/phone).
Encourage your child to take slow, deep breaths.
Offer distraction during the test such as counting, singing, looking at a book, watching their favorite show or playing a game on a phone/tablet.
Hold your child’s hand and provide encouraging/reassuring words.
Let the child see that you are remaining calm.
What Should I know after my Child’s VCUG?
Children can return to normal activities right away.
A little bit of pink in the child's urine (pee) is normal at first.
Remind your child how well they did during the test. ("You did such a good job holding still!")
Warm baths without soap may help with any irritation they may have from the catheter.
Additional Information
We hope this helps you prepare for your visit. If you have any questions about your appointment or test, please call the UMMC Pediatric Imaging Department at (601) 496-6015 or the doctor’s office that ordered this test.
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