There are a wide range of potential disorders that can occur within a child’s genital or urinary systems. These conditions are often present from birth, but can also develop during early childhood. With proper diagnosis and care most can be treated early in a patient’s life. Some of the most common issues are:
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
UTIs are just as common in children as they are in adults. For young kids, pain during urination or a frequent need to use the bathroom are the most common symptoms. Fever can also accompany these symptoms. In some cases, fever can be the only symptom, especially in infants and toddlers. In any case, prompt medical attention for a suspected UTI will help prevent kidney damage.
Nocturnal Enuresis (Bedwetting)
Bedwetting is involuntary urination that many children experience when they are young. While it might be embarrassing, the situation is out of the child’s control. While the exact cause is unknown it could be due to a number of factors such as excessive urine volume, poor sleep arousal, bladder contractions, or slow bowel function. In the absence of an underlying medical condition, treatments can be as simple as a bedwetting alarm or a bowel maintenance regimen.
Cryptorchidism (Undescended Testis)
In some young boys, at least one testicle fails to move into the scrotal sac before birth. While the condition usually resolves itself within the first year of a child’s life, if left unchecked it can cause decreased fertility and an increased risk of testicular cancer. To reduce these risks, undescended testis can be brought into the scrotum during infancy through a surgical procedure known as an orchiopexy.
Pediatric Urology Care
Pediatric urology doctors specialize in dealing with all genitourinary problems that involve the kidney, ureter, bladder and genitals in everyone from newborns to 18 year olds. Because it can be difficult for young children to express their discomfort, it’s especially important that parents are familiar with and keep an eye on their kids’ health. Early detection by the parents followed by professional treatment can resolve most urology issues before they become serious concerns later on in a child’s life.
Private Practice Urology Care in Georgia
Georgia Urology is one of the largest and most well-respected private practice urology groups in the country. Seven of our 40 specialty physicians are fellowship-trained pediatric urologists with years of experience. Contact us today for more information or to request an appointment.
By Michael Garcia-Roig, M.D. What Is a Testicle? Testicles are the male gonads; ovaries are the female form. From birth to puberty, testicles do not have many functions. However, once puberty begins, the testicles produce testosterone, the hormone responsible for male development and the sperm needed for fertility. Men have two testicles in the sack […]
Urinary incontinence can often be an embarrassing, debilitating medical condition. If you aren’t able to void yourself completely or if you are constantly feeling the urge to urinate, it’s disruptive to your quality of life. If you have a child experiencing these symptoms, it is even more important to seek a solution for treatments. “Children […]
The HAWK (Help Awaiting Wet Kids) Clinic at Georgia Urology specializes in treating children with urinary incontinence issues and voiding dysfunction (abnormal urination). These issues can happen in 20-30% of kids and can happen for a variety of reasons including (and most often) voiding behaviors, anatomy, or abnormal function. Wetting and other symptoms of voiding […]
