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Common Pediatric Urology Health Issues

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At UT Urology in Chattanooga, we offer a comprehensive menu of services, including pediatric urology tests and treatments. Children of all ages can develop various urologic problems. Most who do have a difficult time communicating their experience. This is why it is important that parents and caretakers know the conditions that may occur and what to do about them. Here, we discuss some of the conditions for which a child should be brought to a urologist. 

Urinary Tract Infection

We do not usually think of urinary tract infections as a problem that would affect a child. However, bacteria are present in all people of all ages, so it is not unheard of for a youngster to develop urinary symptoms. Urinary tract infections are more common in girls but may also develop in some boys. The origin of this infection are germs or bacteria that remain in the urethra after urination. A child with a UTI may feel generally unwell or may complain of burning when they urinate. The urine of a child with a UTI may be cloudy, foul-smelling, or blood-tinged. A course of antibiotics should resolve these symptoms.

Bedwetting

Children wet the bed from time to time; it’s a normal thing that happens for a number of reasons, including simply being very deep in sleep. As a child gains bladder control after potty training, bedwetting usually becomes very infrequent until it does not occur at all. If a child is consistently wetting the bed at age 5 or 6, a urologist may perform a consultation and examination to see if the child is incontinent or has an underlying condition, such as chronic UTIs, that is causing the frequent nighttime urination. 

Undescended Testicles

It is not uncommon for a newborn boy to have undescended testicles. Statistically, this happens in about 4 out of every 100 newborns. Approximately 21 preemie boys out of 100 are born with this condition. Having an undescended testicle means that one or both of the testicles have failed to drop into the scrotum. Instead, they remain in the abdominal wall. A urologist may recommend observing the condition until the baby is a few months old to see if the testicles descend naturally. If they do not, they pose a health risk. A minimally invasive procedure can be performed to manipulate the testicles into place and secure them with a stitch. 

The signs and symptoms of urologic problems in children may be difficult to discern but should not go unnoticed. We have discussed just a few of the conditions that warrant a visit to a pediatric urologist. If you have questions about a child’s symptoms or suspect a urologic problem, contact our Chattanooga urology practice at (423) 778-5910 and schedule a visit to our Pediatric Urology Clinic. 

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