squam epith in urine

3 min read 13-03-2025

Meta Description: Discover what squamous epithelial cells in urine mean, their causes (including contamination), how they're diagnosed, and when to seek medical attention. Learn about normal levels, potential infections, and more. Understand your test results with this comprehensive guide.

What are Squamous Epithelial Cells?

Squamous epithelial cells are large, flat cells that make up the outer layer of skin and line the mucous membranes of various body parts, including the vagina, urethra, and other areas. These cells are naturally present in the urinary tract. Finding a few in a urine sample is usually not a cause for concern. However, a significantly high number can indicate a problem.

Where do they come from?

During urination, some squamous epithelial cells can naturally shed and end up in the urine sample. In women, more squamous cells are often found because of the proximity of the vagina and urethra.

What Does it Mean to Have Squamous Epithelial Cells in Urine?

The presence of squamous epithelial cells in urine is assessed during a urinalysis, a common test used to check the overall health of the urinary system. The number of cells found determines the clinical significance.

Normal Levels

A small number of squamous epithelial cells in urine is considered normal and usually doesn't require medical attention. The exact definition of "small number" can vary depending on the laboratory and testing methods.

High Levels: Potential Causes

A high number of squamous epithelial cells in urine can be indicative of several issues, including:

Contamination: The most common reason for finding high levels is contamination of the urine sample during collection. Improper hygiene or menstrual bleeding can introduce vaginal cells into the sample.
Vaginal Infection: Infections in the vagina can increase the shedding of squamous cells, leading to a higher-than-normal count in the urine.
Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis): While less common, a severe kidney infection can, in some cases, lead to increased squamous cells. Other indicators, such as fever, pain, and other symptoms would be present.
Other conditions: In rare cases, other underlying conditions can contribute to an elevated squamous cell count in urine. This would require further investigation.

How are Squamous Epithelial Cells Diagnosed?

The presence and amount of squamous epithelial cells are determined through a urinalysis. This involves a microscopic examination of a urine sample.

Urinalysis: The Key Test

A urinalysis isn't just a count of squamous cells. It also looks for other indicators such as bacteria, blood, proteins, and other substances that may point to underlying health issues. The results are interpreted by a doctor to determine the overall picture of urinary tract health.

When Should You See a Doctor?

If your urinalysis shows a high number of squamous epithelial cells, don't panic immediately. Your doctor will consider the entire test results, including other findings.

Repeat Testing: Often, a repeat urinalysis is recommended to confirm the initial findings and rule out contamination as a cause. Proper sample collection techniques are emphasized.
Additional Testing: If there are other abnormalities detected in the urinalysis or if symptoms are present, additional testing may be necessary, such as a urine culture to detect infection, or imaging tests to check for structural abnormalities.

Consult your physician if you have any concerns or symptoms such as:

Pain or burning during urination (dysuria)
Frequent urination (frequency)
Urgent need to urinate (urgency)
Blood in the urine (hematuria)
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Lower abdominal pain
Fever
Chills

Preventing Contamination

To ensure accurate urinalysis results, follow these guidelines when collecting a sample:

Cleanliness: Thoroughly clean the genital area before collecting the sample.
Midstream Clean-Catch: Collect the urine sample midstream (after the initial flow) to minimize contamination from the external genitalia.
Proper Container: Use a sterile container provided by your doctor or lab.
Prompt Delivery: Deliver the sample to the lab as quickly as possible.

By understanding what squamous epithelial cells in urine represent, and by following proper sample collection techniques, you can help ensure accurate results and effective medical management. Remember to consult your doctor to interpret any findings and discuss appropriate next steps. They can provide the most accurate assessment based on your individual situation.