No matter the condition, our urologists are here to care for your child

Prenatal hydronephrosis is the swelling of a kidney in a baby or infant caused by a buildup of urine in the kidney due to poor flow or blockage. While this is one of the most common irregularities found in ultrasounds, it does not usually cause problems for the baby before or after birth

The two most common reasons for this condition are a blockage the kidney where urine should exit or urine flowing back into the kidney rather than out to the bladder.

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Bedwetting is a common problem for kids, especially those under six years old and an issue many of families face every night.

While it is common, if it suddenly occurs or happens with other symptoms, it can be a sign of other medical conditions.

If your child is experiencing these symptoms, you should call us and be seen by a urinary specialist at CHoR:

• complains of pain when peeing
• suddenly starts wetting the bed after being consistently dry for at least six months
• is drinking or eating much more than usual
• begins to wet his or her pants during the day
• is 7 years of age or older and still wetting the bed

Learn about our bedwetting program

Dysfunctional voiding occurs when the body doesn’t relax all the way during urine output, which means the bladder never fully empties. This can cause daytime wetting, nighttime wetting, straining and an urgent feeling that your child always need to use the bathroom.

In severe cases, kids can develop similar symptoms to those with a neurogenic bladder and be at a higher risk for kidney infections and other diseases.

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This is a rare condition that is present at birth involving the opening of the urethra (the tube in which the urine exists the bladder). This can produce a penis or urethra that doesn’t work well or look normal.

In boys with epispadias, the urethra opens in top of the penis rather than the tip. The space between this opening and tip of the penis appears like an open book. In girls with epispadias, the urethral opening is towards the clitoris or even belly area. This results in the external genitalia.

This condition does require surgery. Each child is different, and we will make sure to discuss the types of options for treatment and answer any questions you might have.

Hernias and hydroceles occur when the lining of the abdominal cavity extends down into the scrotum creating a pocket in the inguinal area (inner thigh) and/or scrotal area. If part of the intestines goes into the pocket, it is called a hernia; if only fluid goes into the pocket, it is called a hydrocele.

It’s important to see your doctor if there is scrotal swelling so we can discuss symptoms and whether or not a treatment plan is needed.

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Kidney stones happen when crystals made from minerals are formed inside the kidney.

Kidney stones can cause pain and blood in your child’s urine. Most kidney stones may pass without causing damage with the assistance of pain medicine and plenty of fluids.

Learn more about kidney stones

A neurogenic bladder can be caused by interruption of communication between the brain and the spinal cord, which controls all bowel and bladder movements. If your child is experiencing any of these issues, they might have a neurogenic bladder:

• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Inability to empty bladder or constipation
• UTIs
• Urinary or bowel frequency

The best thing to do is to see a urologist near you for diagnosis and treatment of your child’s bladder or bowel dysfunction.

There are different types of penile anomalies that require surgery to repair function or correct the look.

One of these anomalies is hypospadias, which happens when the urethra opens to the underside of the shaft, resulting in a malformation of the penis. Instead of being circumferential, it appears as a dorsal hood.

Our specialists will discuss what the surgery to correct this entails.

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Posterior urethral valves (PUV) occurs when there is an abnormality of the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder). With PUV, the urethral valves have a narrow, slit-like opening that can affect urine flow out of the body and instead reverses it, causing all of the urinary tract organs (the bladder, kidneys, urethra and ureters) to become swollen. Your child’s specialist will determine the severity of the problems this is causing and outline a treatment plan.

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Retractile testicles are caused by a normal reaction to stimulation which results in the testicle moving in and out of the scrotum. Sometimes retractile testicles can be mistaken for undescended testicles, but these conditions are not the same.

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An undescended testicle, also known as cryptorchidism, is a testicle that hasn't moved into its proper position in the bag of skin hanging below the penis before birth. An undescended testicle is uncommon in general, but common among prematurely born baby boys. The undescended testicle typically moves into the proper position on its own, within the first few months after being born. If your son has an undescended testicle that doesn't correct itself, surgery can relocate the testicle.

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Urinary tract infections happen when germs get into the urinary tract organs (bladder, kidneys, urethra or ureters). While they are common, if your child is getting them again and again, it can cause kidney damage.

Know the signs of a UTI and be sure to call your doctor if they are experiencing these symptoms:

• pain when peeing
• changes in frequency of urination or change in appearance of urination
• fever
• chills
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• lower abdominal pain or back pain

Although UTIs are typically treated with antibiotics, when they happen repeatedly, a pediatric urologist at CHoR will need to rule out any abnormalities and find what is causing the infections.

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Anything that blocks or slows the normal flow of urine is considered a urinary tract obstruction. Common causes of urinary obstruction include:

• Kidney stones
• Narrow, wide or misplaced urethra
• Abnormalities where the ureter opens into another area besides the bladder
• Abnormality of the point where the ureter meets the kidney

This is a condition when urine flows backward into kidneys which can result in UTIs and other bladder problems or bowel problems.

VUR is most common in infants and young children and doesn’t typically cause long term problems. It’s important to contact your doctor so we may diagnose, monitor and treat the condition accordingly.

See causes and symptoms of VUR