Pediatric urologist consultation

A consultation with a pediatric urologist is necessary in cases of clearly expressed symptoms, as well as for preventive purposes. A number of urological problems and developmental deviations in the child's urogenital system may be congenital, which is why preventive consultations with a specialist are conducted in the first months of the child's life. Most congenital anomalies and developmental defects of the urogenital system can be successfully corrected in childhood.

Some urological diseases may develop in children throughout their lives for various reasons: infections, complications after flu, hypothermia, and others. Most often, the disease goes unnoticed, and parents may not immediately see problems with the child's health. Urological diseases that are not diagnosed and timely treated in childhood can negatively affect the quality of life in adulthood.

In the medical network "Dobrobut," the health of your child is taken care of by a team of experienced professionals. Pediatric urologists and nephrologists will assist in the diagnosis and treatment of various disorders in the functioning of the kidneys and urinary bladder, infectious diseases of the urinary tract, congenital developmental anomalies of the urogenital system and external genitalia, as well as other diseases.

A pediatric urologist in the "Dobrobut" medical network is not just a doctor who diagnoses and treats urological diseases. All our pediatric doctors have extensive experience in interacting with children, know how to establish a psychological connection with a child of any age, and apply modern methods of diagnosis and therapy.

When to Consult a Pediatric Urologist

A significant portion of pediatric urological diseases are congenital. Developmental pathologies of the urinary system can form while still in the mother's womb. Such pathologies will first be noted by the prenatal ultrasound diagnostic doctor. Additionally, pathologies of the genital organs in boys and girls may manifest at ages 4-5, as well as later at ages 12-15.

A preventive examination by a pediatric urologist is necessary for a child:

• in the first year of life;· 
• at ages 3-4;
• at ages 7-9; 
• at age 14.

During the first scheduled examination, the pediatric urologist will advise parents on how to properly conduct hygiene procedures for the genital organs and will discuss the features of the development of the urinary system and what issues parents should pay attention to. Proper intimate hygiene for children is a preventive measure against the development of urological diseases, as improper care can lead to various ailments, such as balanoposthitis in boys, and cystitis and other diseases in girls.

A consultation with a pediatric urologist is necessary for a child, parents, and/or close relatives who have suffered from bladder and kidney diseases, as some serious pathologies can be inherited.

Symptoms of Urological Diseases in Children

The most common reasons for consulting a pediatric urologist include changes in urine: parents may notice cloudy sediment, a change in color from yellow to dark brown, or an unpleasant smell. Problems with the kidneys and bladder will "speak" through urinary disturbances, pain during urination, in the lower abdomen, and in the lower back; girls may experience discharge from the external genital organs.

Contact a Pediatric Urologist as Soon as Possible if Your Child:

• has developed pain in the lumbar region, accompanied by nausea and vomiting
• experiences discomfort during urination
• has frequent and painful urination
• frequently experiences recurrent urinary tract infections
• has developed an unpleasant smell in the urine
• the pediatrician has found changes in the general urine analysis 
• experiences urinary incontinence
• has frequent urges to urinate or, conversely, rarely goes to the toilet
• needs to strain during urination
• has a very thin urine stream
• the scrotum area is swollen and painful
• there is noticeable swelling of the genital organs

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of pediatric urological diseases in the "Dobrobut" medical network is conducted using modern laboratory and instrumental technologies. Additional examinations may be required to make an accurate diagnosis and identify the most effective treatment method.

Laboratory Diagnostics

• Clinical urine analysis. This method is fundamental in diagnosing both kidney, bladder, and urinary tract diseases, as well as other systems and organs. This diagnostic method includes the study of physicochemical and biochemical indicators, and microscopy of urine sediment. Urine analysis is an effective method for diagnosing infections of the urinary system.
• Bacteriological urine culture. This test is performed to identify the pathogen of the infection and to determine the level of bacteriuria (bacterial growth) when an infection enters the body.
• Microalbumin in urine. This test is conducted to detect albumins (the main proteins in blood plasma) in the urine. They start to appear in a child's urine in cases of kidney diseases.

Instrumental Diagnostics

• Ultrasound Diagnostics. Ultrasound examination in urinary system diseases in children helps to identify numerous pathological conditions. This includes developmental anomalies, acute and chronic processes, tumors, traumatic injuries, etc. Doppler ultrasound in urological issues will help identify circulatory disorders in the urinary system organs, obstructions to normal urine flow, etc.
• Uroflowmetry. Measurement of urinary flow rate.
• Excretory Urography. With this radiographic examination, the doctor obtains images of the state of the kidneys and urinary tract. The kidneys "are capable" of excreting certain radiocontrast substances that are introduced into the child's body. During the diagnosis, a complete picture is obtained about the excretion of contrast by the kidneys and its movement through the ureter. This study is often used for urinary flow obstruction caused by the presence of infection.
• CT Diagnosis. Computed tomography methods in pediatric urology are used to detect neoplasms in the kidneys and adrenal glands, in cases of trauma and inflammatory processes, urolithiasis, etc. CT scans are even performed on newborns when indicated. Methods such as CT scintigraphy and CT urography are the most informative in diagnosing pathologies of the urinary system.

• Micturition Cystourethrography. This is a radiocontrast examination method for the urethra and bladder. This study diagnoses vesicoureteral reflux, i.e., the backward flow of urine in a child, as well as various anomalies in the development of the urinary system.
• MRI Diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging differs from CT in that it is performed using the influence of magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses. MRI is assigned when the results of CT or ultrasound are insufficient, and a final diagnosis cannot be made. MRI is used to diagnose a wide range of urological diseases in children: from identifying congenital pathologies to searching for the consequences of trauma and infectious processes.
• Cystoscopy. This endoscopic method allows the specialist to examine the inner surfaces of the bladder, assess the condition of the mucous membrane, find the cause of ureter narrowing, etc. Cystoscopy in children is applied when it is necessary to accurately identify the type of pathology and quickly diagnose the child.
• Percutaneous Biopsy. During this study method, a microscopic sample of tissue is taken for further examination. A biopsy may be indicated for a child when there is suspicion of a malignant or benign tumor, as well as to confirm or refute inflammatory processes, kidney and bladder pathologies. Biopsy is most often performed under ultrasound guidance.

Treatment

Pediatric urological diseases require qualified medical help and a comprehensive approach to treatment. Medical statistics indicate that one in three children suffers from various urinary system abnormalities. Timely correction of developmental pathologies of the urinary system, treatment of infectious diseases, consequences of trauma, and other urological problems in children will help eliminate not only the physiological manifestations of the disease but also address the issue of the child's psycho-sexual adaptation, and later - the adolescent's integration into society.

After the diagnostic procedures, the pediatric urologist will develop an individual treatment plan, which may include medication therapy, and if necessary, surgical treatment. Comprehensive treatment of urological diseases in children includes rehabilitation, as well as psychological correction. If needed, your child will be examined by specialists from related fields, as often children with urological pathologies require help from pediatric nephrologists, neurologists, and psychologists.

The specialists at the "Dobrobut" medical network operate solely based on the principles of modern evidence-based medicine and prescribe only medications with proven effectiveness. The treatment of a child is always discussed with their parents.

Pediatric Urological Diseases We Treat:

• urinary tract infections;
• acute cystitis;
• acute/chronic pyelonephritis;
• chronic kidney diseases;
• urolithiasis;
• enuresis;
• delayed sexual development;
• disorders of sexual differentiation;
• phimosis;
• functional urinary disorders;
• disorders of libido.

In other pediatric urological pathologies that require surgical treatment, experienced urologic surgeons will select the least traumatic method for the child's rapid recovery.

Team

The "Dobrobut" medical network has created all the conditions for diagnosing and effectively treating urological diseases in children in the shortest possible time. We use modern equipment that allows for quick and accurate diagnosis of various pediatric urological pathologies.

By entrusting the health of your child to the specialists at the "Dobrobut" medical network, you are placing them in the hands of a team of professionals with extensive experience. Pediatric urologists and other specialists in the medical network will conduct examinations, provide consultations on all matters, and prescribe accurate diagnostics and treatment considering each child's individual characteristics.