Pediatric Urology

Our pediatric urologists have decades of experience caring for children with urologic conditions and offering treatments such as:

• Bedwetting and daytime wetting
• Endoscopic (minimally invasive) treatment to remove kidney stones
• Hydroceles: Swelling in the pocket of skin that holds the testicles
• Hypospadias: When the hole of the urethra is not at the tip of the penis
• Hydronephrosis: Swelling of one or both kidneys, usually caused by a blockage
• Kidney stones: Mineral salts and deposits that can form inside the kidneys
• Nephrectomy to remove a kidney
• Neurogenic bladder: A lack of bladder control related to nerves or spinal cord problems
• Undescended testicles:  A common condition in babies when a testicle doesn’t lower into the sack of skin beneath the penis
• Ureteral obstructions: A blockage in one or both ureters
• Urinary tract infections
• Urodynamic tests to see how urine is stored and released in the lower urinary tract
• Voiding dysfunction: When the bladder does not fully empty
• Penile reconstruction to correct development issues in the penis

For some kids, embarrassment may be a natural response to being examined or diagnosed by a urologist. That’s understandable since the practice of urology is a very personal form of healthcare. With that in mind, our pediatric urologists strive to develop positive relationships with children, to respect their dignity, to meet them on their own terms and to treat them as unique individuals. In this way, we make every effort to create a safe, comfortable atmosphere for your child’s urological care.

A child can benefit from a pediatrician’s referral to a pediatric urologist for many reasons. Among them are recurrent urinary tract infections, an unexplainable fever, frequent bedwetting, inability to control the bladder or a visible difference in a healthy anatomy, such as a testicle that has not descended into its proper place.

Bedwetting can have several causes, and in many children it is a normal part of development rather than a sign of a serious problem. Common causes include a bladder that is still developing, deep sleep that makes it harder to wake when the bladder is full, the body producing more urine at night, constipation, stress or life changes, and sometimes genetics, since bedwetting often runs in families. In some cases, it can also be related to urinary tract infections, diabetes, sleep disorders, or other medical conditions.

The most common cause of a UTI in children is bacteria entering the urinary tract. This can happen when bacteria from the skin or stool move into the urethra and travel to the bladder. Some children may be more likely to get UTIs because of factors like not emptying the bladder fully, constipation, holding urine too long, urinary tract abnormalities or poor wiping hygiene.

It is best to treat an undescended testicle early. In many cases, if the testicle has not moved into place by about 6 months of age, a child should be evaluated by a specialist. Treatment is often recommended before 18 months old. That said, it is not necessarily “too late” if it is found later. Older children, teens and adults can still benefit from evaluation and treatment. Getting care is important because an undescended testicle can increase the risk of fertility problems, hernia, injury and other health concerns over time. If you think your child may have an undescended testicle, talk with your pediatrician or a pediatric urologist.

Kidney stones are not common in children, but they do happen. While they are seen more often in adults, doctors are seeing kidney stones in children more than they used to. Some children may be more likely to develop kidney stones because of dehydration, family history, diet or certain medical conditions. If your child has symptoms like severe pain, blood in the urine, nausea or pain while urinating, it is important to talk to a doctor.