Paediatric urological conditions that are frequently encountered and treated are:

• Urinary tract infections – Infections of the urinary tract in children need to be further investigated in children as there may be an underlying cause.
  Recurrent infections may hamper the normal development and long-term function of the urinary tract.


• Phimosis – a tight and narrow foreskin may make it difficult to clean the penis efficiently. Phimosis may be associated with urinary tract infections and inflammation of the foreskin. Circumcision may be necessary to resolve this problem.


• Undescended testicles – Some boys may be born with one or both testicles not completely descended into their scrotum. This may have a detrimental effect on future fertility. Rarely testes may descend on their own after birth. In most cases, spontaneous descent of the testes does not occur after birth and surgery is required to bring the testis. Surgery is recommended between 6 to 12 months of age.


• Antenatal hydronephrosis – This is a condition where the kidney is enlarged or swollen due to it being filled with fluid. Antenatal hydronephrosis is detected on routine ultrasonography of the foetus during the pregnancy. Treatment for fetal hydronephrosis is normally delayed until after delivery. There are several causes of antenatal hydronephrosis. Hydronephrosis in infants is caused by defects that cause obstruction to the drainage along the urinary tract or reflux of the urine up the urinary tract.


• Nocturnal enuresis/Troublesome bedwetting– This is the involuntary urination which occurs in the night while sleeping. This occurs in children who are at the age of being able to control their bladder. Treatment for nocturnal enuresis includes medications such as desmopressin. Bladder training and alarms may be required.


• Hypospadias and epispadias – These are birth defects of the male genitalia, where the opening of the urethra is abnormally located. These defects are often seen in combination with other abnormalities of the urinary tract and genitalia. Treatment is reconstructive surgery.