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Pediatric Urology Problems

Much like adults, children can suffer from a wide gamut of urological problems. Though more likely to affect boys than girls, urological problems in children can range from harmless to life-threatening. Though many conditions are resolved with medication, sometimes surgery is necessary to resolve systemic or structural issues.

  1. Bed-wetting

    • One of the most common urological problems affecting children is bed-wetting. Though many parents fear that bed-wetting is a sign that toilet training has gone awry, usually it's just a developmental stage in a child's maturation. It mostly occurs when a child is 6 or 7 years old. At this stage of development, the bladder is sometimes unable to function at night. If bed-wetting continues beyond a few months, the child may be put on medication.

    Undescended Testes

    • Between 2 percent and 5 percent of children born suffer from undescended testicles. More common in premature children, usually it is only one testicle that has yet to descend into the testicular sack. Usually the problem is self-corrective, and the undescended testicle moves into place after a few months. In some instances, the testicle does not come down and surgery is required to move it into the proper location.

    Hypospadias

    • This is a condition where the hole for the urethra is located on the underside of the penis, rather than at the top. Treatment includes a surgical procedure that repositions the opening to the urethra. It is recommended that the surgery be performed when the child is between 3 and 18 months old. If not treated, hypospadias can affect the progress of the child's toilet training and lead to sexual problems in adults.

    Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction

    • Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction blocks the passage of urine from the kidney to the bladder. If not treated, the backup of urine can cause damage to the kidney. This condition is most common in newborns. It is caused by a congenital abnormality. Children with this condition are put on antibiotics to prevent infection. If it does not resolve, a procedure called a pyeloplasty is done to remove the blockage.

    Urinary Tract Infections

    • Urinary tract infections are common in children. They can either stem from poor hygiene or congenital issues. Common symptoms include a low fever, burning during urination and back pain. Urinary tract infections are usually resolved with antibiotics. A simple urine test can tell whether or not there is an infection.

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