Use of the leukocyte esterase and nitrite tests to determine the need for culturing urine specimens from a pediatric and adolescent population.

Using a commercially available dip stick 601 urine specimens were screened for leukocytes and bacteria by testing for the presence of leukocyte esterase and nitrite. The screening method was found to have a sensitivity of 88.7% and a predictive value of negative results of 98.5%.