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Efficient communication with both children and parents is key while tackling urological disorders

- Puja Awasthi

Paediatric urology

A surgical medicine subspecialty that is concerned with the diseases of the genitourinary tract in children. A paediatric urologist and surgeon examines, treats and manages urological disorders in children.

Different from adult urology

The focus is on the urological and reproductive organs of children from infancy to teenage. We look at genetic and developmental concerns in this area, and while planning treatments we look at the age and growth of the child.

Adult urology is concerned with the urinary tract and adult reproductive organs, addressing conditions such as prostate disease, kidney stones and cancers that occur in adults.

An interactive specialty

Paediatric urology frequently includes interaction with other subspecialists, including nephrologists, neonatologists, endocrinologists and obstetricians-gynaecologists. It is also a constantly changing field with continuous research and development to ensure better outcomes in patients. Most of the paediatric urological procedures involve long-term follow-up. Parents must not shy away from this and must be committed to bringing their children for follow-ups.

The genitourinary system in children

The system consists of two kidneys, two ureters (tubes that carry urine from kidney to bladder), one urinary bladder, and one urethra (tube that carries urine from bladder to outside the body). In addition, it includes the reproductive organs: the prostate gland, testicles and epididymis in males; and the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, vagina and external genitalia in women. They are the same as adults with some progressing differences.

Common conditions in children that need medical help