Does My Child Need a Urologist?: June 20, 2014

Chances are you associate a urologist visit with an adult patient. But there are several circumstances where a child might also need to see a specialist.

“Some kids are born with undescended testicles; something called hypospadias, which is an issue in terms of the urethra. There’s also something called vesicoureteral reflux,” says Dr. Blake Evans, who is a urologist on medical staff of Lee Memorial Health System.

This particular condition involves an abnormal flow of urine from the bladder to the upper urinary tract. It is usually diagnosed in infants and children.

“Because of the development process and in some kids, their bladders don't form as they should. So they will reflux up towards the kidney and can sometimes lead to recurrent infections. And so urologists will sometimes have to be consulted,” says Dr. Evans.

Urologists may also be called on for ‘elective’ procedures such as circumcisions.
More than half of newborn boys are circumcised in the United States each year. It is routinely performed during the first 10 days. After the newborn period it becomes a bit more complicated.

“Once they get past that newborn age and parents choose to have the child circumcised that’s generally where pediatric urologist will come into play. It’s really the same kind of procedure, you just need an anesthesiologist involved,” says Dr. Evans.

So whether it’s a voiding disorder, surgical reconstruction or an elective procedure, there are several reasons why a urologist may be the right choice for your child.