At the University of Vermont Children's Hospital, our clinicians have the specialized qualifications and experience to diagnose, treat, and manage children with a wide range of congenital and acquired conditions involving the urinary and genital tracts.
Pediatric Urology: What You Need to Know
As a university hospital, we provide comprehensive, technologically current and evidence-based evaluation and care for conditions ranging from the simplest to the most complex genitourinary problem.
Children are treated by a fully-qualified fellowship-trained pediatric urologist, who is supported by a team of pediatric specialists available to consult as needed.
We are committed to providing the best possible surgical and medical care for your child in a child-friendly environment.
Pediatric Urology Diagnosis and Treatment
Some of the common conditions our pediatric urologists and specialists treat include:
- Hydrocele - A collection of fluid in the saclike extension of the peritoneum — the membrane that covers most of the abdominal organs — that produces swelling in the inguinal region or scrotum.
- Inguinal Hernia- A condition that occurs when abdominal organs protrude into the inguinal canal or scrotum. It shares the same origin as the hydrocele and may occur with a hydrocele.
- Undescended Testes- A condition in which at least one testicle has not moved into the scrotal sac as the male fetus develops. In most cases, this is resolved on its own in the first year of life.
- Hypospadias - A congenital condition in which the opening of the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the body) is on the underside of the penis rather than at the tip.
- Vesicoureteral Reflux - A condition in which urine from the bladder backs up into the ureter, often diagnosed after a urinary tract infection associated with fever.
- Prenatal Hydronephrosis - A fluid-filled enlargement of the kidney prior to birth, typically diagnosed with prenatal ultrasound.
- Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction - A blockage of the flow of urine in the area where the ureter meets the kidney.
- Neurogenic Bladder - A disorder resulting from interference in the normal nerve pathways that send signals to the bladder regarding urination. This may be due to a birth defect in the spinal cord (such as spina bifida), spinal cord trauma, or tumors in the central nervous system or pelvis.
- Voiding Disorders - This condition refers to any abnormal voiding pattern that occurs after toilet training. This could include urinary tract infections, incontinence (day or night), frequent need to urinate, urgent need to urinate or hesitation with urination.
Other Urologic Conditions We Treat
- Ambiguous genitalia
- Bedwetting
- Daytime wetting
- Duplex collecting system
- Epididymitis
- Epispadias
- Hydronephrosis
- Hypospadias
- Inguinal hernia and hydrocele
- Meatal stenosis
- Neurogenic bladder
- Phimosis
- Redundant foreskin or adhesions following circumcision
- Undescended/retractile testicles
- Ureteropelvic junction obstruction
- Ureterovesical junction obstruction
- Urinary tract infections
- Varicocele
- Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR)
- Voiding disorders (urgency, frequency, hesitancy, etc.)
Minimally Invasive Treatment for Pediatric Urology
The precise control that robotic-assisted surgery provides is ideal for delicate procedures on smaller patients. It also has the potential to reduce physical and emotional stress for children and their families. Learn more about if robotic-assisted surgery may be an option for your child.