What Is a Pediatric Urologist?
A pediatric urologist is a urologist who has completed an additional 1–2 year ACGME-accredited fellowship specifically focused on urologic conditions in infants, children, and adolescents. This is one of only two formally accredited urology fellowships. Pediatric urologists are trained to handle the unique anatomical, developmental, and emotional needs of children with urinary and genital conditions. They work in child-friendly environments and are experienced in communicating with both children and their parents.
What Conditions Does a Pediatric Urologist Treat?
- Undescended testicle (cryptorchidism) — when one or both testicles have not moved into the scrotum
- Hypospadias — a birth defect where the urinary opening is not at the tip of the penis
- Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) — urine flowing backward from the bladder to the kidneys
- UPJ obstruction — a blockage where the kidney connects to the ureter
- Posterior urethral valves — a blockage in the urethra in boys
- Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) — nighttime wetting beyond the expected age
- Pediatric kidney stones
- Hydrocele and hernia in children
- Neurogenic bladder in children (often related to spina bifida)
- Bladder exstrophy and epispadias — rare birth defects of the bladder and genitalia
- Disorders of sex development (ambiguous genitalia)
- Wilms tumor (pediatric kidney cancer)
- Testicular torsion in children and adolescents
- Circumcision in children
- Ureterocele in children
What Procedures Does a Pediatric Urologist Perform?
Pediatric urologists perform orchiopexy (bringing an undescended testicle into the scrotum), hypospadias repair, ureteral reimplantation (correcting reflux), pyeloplasty (repairing UPJ obstruction), circumcision, cystoscopy, hydrocele repair, scrotal exploration for testicular torsion, bladder augmentation, Mitrofanoff creation, and kidney stone procedures adapted for children.
Who Should See a Pediatric Urologist?
Any child (under 18) with a urinary or genital concern should see a pediatric urologist. This includes newborns with prenatal findings on ultrasound (hydronephrosis, abnormal kidneys), boys with undescended testicles or hypospadias, children with recurrent UTIs or bedwetting, and adolescents with testicular pain or kidney stones.