How Pediatric Urologists Care for Young Patients
Children aren’t always able to answer questions during medical exams or convey when something is bothering them. Luckily, when those problems involve the genitalia or urinary tract, pediatric urologists can identify, diagnose, treat, and care for even the youngest patients.
What is pediatric urology?
Pediatric urology is a surgical subspecialty that focuses on abnormalities of the urinary tract and genitalia in children. The most common medical issues managed by a pediatric urologist are urinary tract infections and wetting accidents. The most common surgical issues managed by a pediatric urologist are genital abnormalities, such as undescended testicles and penile abnormalities, and abnormalities of the urinary tract, such as kidney obstruction or urinary reflux.
What types of treatment do pediatric urologists provide?
Pediatric urologists are surgeons who take care of genitourinary problems in infants, children and adolescents. They can generally provide the following services:
- Evaluation and management of voiding disorders, urinary tract infections, and vesicoureteral reflux
- Surgical reconstruction of the urinary tract for obstruction or other abnormalities
- Surgery for genital abnormalities in children and adolescents, including undescended testicles, hypospadias, disorders of sexual development, and hydroceles/hernias
- Evaluation and surgical management of kidney stone disease
- Evaluation and management of fetal urinary tract problems identified during pregnancy
- Evaluation and management of incontinence and other urinary tract problems associated with neurological conditions such as spina bifida
Pediatric urologists typically work in large children’s hospitals across the country. In Michigan specifically, the few pediatric urologists in the state are located in in Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Ann Arbor.
Covenant HealthCare is proud to have Dr. Kirstan Meldrum on staff to serve children in mid-Michigan and beyond. Dr. Meldrum is board-certified by the American Board of Urology in Urology and Pediatric Urology, and she has more than 15 years of experience in large university settings.
To learn more about pediatric urology and Dr. Meldrum’s expertise, click here.
Posted Date: 11/20/2017