Pediatric urology

Pediatric urology is a subspecialty of urology that deals specifically with urological diseases in children and adolescents - i.e., disorders and diseases of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, and external genital organs. Since the urogenital system of children differs significantly anatomically and functionally from that of adults, specialized knowledge and often different treatment approaches are required.

Hypospadias

Hypospadias is a congenital malformation of the urethra in boys, where the urethral opening (meatus) is not located at the tip of the glans but further down the penis, e.g., on the shaft, scrotum, or perineal area. One in 300 male newborns is affected, and surgical correction is possible and successful in most cases. In this process, the urethral opening is moved to the correct position (tip of the glans), and if necessary, a straightening of the penis is performed.

Phimosis

Phimosis refers to a narrowing of the foreskin of the penis, where it cannot or can only partially be retracted over the glans. It is common in young boys and is mostly harmless, but in certain cases, treatment may be needed. Physiological phimosis is a normal condition in almost all newborns and usually resolves by itself by school age. As long as no symptoms occur, no treatment is necessary. Pathological phimosis appears after early childhood or persists and must be treated. Initially, attempts are made to resolve the narrowing with corticosteroid creams. If this does not work, surgical intervention (partial or full circumcision) is necessary.

Cryptorchidism

Cryptorchidism (maldescensus testis) is a congenital malposition of the testis, where one or both testicles are not located in the scrotum but are found, for example, in the inguinal canal or abdomen. It is the most common urological malformation in newborn boys. If the testicle has not descended into the scrotum by the 6th month of life, treatment is recommended by the 12th month at the latest. Failure to do so increases the risk of infertility or testicular cancer later in life. The so-called orchidopexy is considered the standard treatment, in which the testicle is relocated to and fixed in the scrotum.

Congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract

These include, among others, the so-called ureteropelvic junction obstruction - a narrowing at the junction between the kidney and the ureter - duplex kidney, duplex ureter, and bladder exstrophy, i.e., an open bladder at birth. Depending on the findings, conservative or surgical therapies are potential options, which are individually coordinated with the specialist.

Bedwetting

The treatment of bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) depends on the cause, the age, and the stress of the child. It is a very common and well-treatable problem in childhood. Important: It is not the "fault" of the child, but usually a maturation delay of bladder control, an overproduction of urine at night, or a very deep sleep behavior. Simple methods such as going to the toilet before going to bed, reducing fluid intake in the evening, or using so-called alarm pants can often solve the problem. Drug therapies that reduce urine production can also help. However, there can be relapses after stopping them.