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Prostatitis in Children

Prostatitis in children only effects boys, since it is an inflammation of the prostate gland. The prostate is a gland that is the size and shape of a walnut, and surrounds the urethra. Upon puberty, the prostate begins to produce seminal fluid, which accompanies sperm when a male ejaculates. Prostatitis can affect younger boys who are prone to urinary tract infections, but the greatest risk is when males become sexually active and may be exposed to sexually transmitted infections.

  1. Risk Factors

    • According to Mass General Hospital for Children, the highest risk is for young men when they become sexually active, since sexually transmitted infections and gonorrhea are a significant cause of prostatitis. Boys who are prone to urinary tract infections can also be at risk for the condition as the urethra travels through the prostate gland. Two forms of prostatitis that have no known risk factors are non-bacterial prostatitis and prostatodynia.

    Symptoms

    • According to Mass General Hospital for Children, the primary symptom of prostatitis in children is a dramatic onset of fever and chills. Adolescent boys may also feel extreme pain in the groin between the scrotum and anus. Lower back pain is very common, as is pain and difficulty with urination. Adolescent boys with non-bacterial prostatitis often experience a burning sensation when urinating and may also notice small amounts of blood in their urine.

    Evaluation

    • There are several methods of evaluation for prostatitis in children, according to Mass General Hospital for Children. These include a thorough examination of the lower abdomen and groin area to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. A urine test is also common to look for white blood cells, which are a sign of infection. In some cases, a doctor may also conduct a rectal prostate exam and may massage the prostate to stimulate prostate secretions.

    Treatments

    • According to Mass General Hospital for Children, the standard treatment for prostatitis is antibiotics. Generally, antibiotics are prescribed to target specific causes and bacteria. For example, if gonorrhea is identified as the causal factor, then medications that target this type of infection will be prescribed. There are many different types of antibiotics that can be prescribed to address infections, including but not limited to sulfa drugs, cipro and cyclosporine. Ibuprofen or analgesics may be used to alleviate pain that is associated with this condition. Some physicians also recommend that male patients affected with this condition regularly ejaculate.

    Prevention

    • According to Mass General Hospital for Children, the best prevention for prostatitis is the use of condoms for sexually active boys. Using barrier methods prevents the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, which can lead to prostatitis. Another form of prevention for boys who are prone to urinary tract infections is close consultation and follow-up when symptoms of a urinary tract infection appear. In this case, the doctor can prescribe a prophylactic round of antibiotics.

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