Paediatric urology

Paediatric urology is a subspecialty of paediatrics and urology concerning genital and urological issues affecting babies and children. It involves care plans for diseases and disorders afflicting the organs of the urinary tract. These include kidneys, bladder, urethra and genital tract of young boys and girls.

Paediatric urological conditions can begin from the early stages of birth to young adulthood.

Recurrent bedwetting – Bedwetting is a normal part of childhood. However, frequent and recurrent bedwetting during the night can be a sign of sleep apnea. 

Urinary tract infections – A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria enter your urinary tract organs. UTIs are fairly common in children and causes a wide range of urinary symptoms. 

 Congenital kidney issues – Congenital kidney issues are the ones present in children from birth. These renal issues can be passed down from parents to children. Common conditions include polycystic kidney disease, unilateral renal agenesis and bilateral renal agenesis. 

Kidney stones – Kidney or renal stones are small hard deposits of minerals that develop in the kidneys. Children can be affected by varying sizes of kidney stones. This condition can occur in even infants. 

Hernias – A hernia can occur at any age and is highly common in children and newborns. The most common types of hernias affecting children are inguinal and umbilical hernia. 

Pelvic ureteric junction – Pelvic ureteric junction or ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is a common condition in children in which the urine flow is obstructed due to a blockage between the ureter and kidney. 

Undescended testicles – An undescended testicle is a condition diagnosed soon after birth. In this condition, a male newborn’s testicle has not moved to its proper position in the scrotum. 

Kidney dilation – Kidney dilation or hydronephrosis is a rare condition in which the urine flows back into the kidneys leading to swelling in the renal pelvic area. 

Hypospadias – Hypospadias is a condition in which the opening of the urethra is at the lower side or underside of the penis. 

Abnormal development of the genital organs – Delays in sexual development or abnormal developmental of sexual organs in children is a genital birth defect caused by abnormal levels of sex hormones. 

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) – Vesicoureteral reflux is very prevalent in infants and young children. In this condition, the urine begins to flow back to the ureters or sometimes to the kidneys. 

The management or treatment of a urological condition in children depends on the type of condition, the extremity of symptoms and the child’s age and overall health. There are several treatment alternatives ranging from medication, cystoscopy, ureteral reimplantation and minimally invasive surgeries.