What is uroflowmetry?

Uroflowmetry (uroflow) is a noninvasive study of a child’s bladder function. It evaluates bladder capacity, voiding pattern, and bladder emptying.

Your child’s doctor may order a uroflow test if they suspect one of the following conditions:

Overactive bladder
Voiding dysfunction
Incomplete bladder emptying
Bladder neck dysfunction
Urethral strictures

What happens during a uroflow test?

A uroflow test takes about 15 to 20 minutes from start to finish, depending on how long it takes your child to urinate.

The first step is an ultrasound-based bladder scan, which will evaluate how much urine your child’s bladder is holding. A clinical assistant will place a small amount of gel below your child’s belly button and gently press on their bladder with an ultrasound probe.
Next, we’ll ask your child to urinate into a special toilet in a private bathroom. This toilet has sensors that will measure how fast your child urinates and how long it takes them to urinate. It also looks at your child’s voiding pattern.
After your child has urinated, the clinical assistant will use the ultrasound to see how much urine is left in their bladder.

What is a uroflow with EMG patches?

Uroflow with electromyography (EMG) patches measures pelvic floor muscle activity during urination. These muscles play an important role in bladder control.

The patches used for this test are stickers that will be placed on your child’s buttocks and hips. They are about the size of a dime and can be easily removed as soon as your child is done urinating. The patches will be connected to a device that your child will hold while they urinate.

How to prepare your child for a uroflow test

For a uroflow test to be as accurate as possible, your child should have a comfortably full bladder.

To achieve this, have your child urinate two hours before their appointment. Then, have them drink water. The amount of water your child should drink depends on their age (see the chart below). They should finish drinking one hour before their appointment.