From infant to teenager
Paediatric urology
Urological diseases and treatments are naturally not only limited to adults. If you or your child’s doctor suspect there is a problem, don’t hesitate to contact us: Our private practice offers the full range of services related to paediatric urology.
It is not unusual in infancy and childhood to have a tight foreskin. This condition, called phimosis, eases over time and in most boys the foreskin will have loosened by the age of 3-5 years. However, in 6%-7% of boys aged 6-7 years the foreskin is still too tight and among 16- to 17-year-olds the incidence of phimosis is still about 1%. In addition to classic circumcision, medicines can also be administered to loosen the foreskin and thus prevent inflammation.
Have your child’s testicles descended into their predetermined position in the scrotum? This is an essential question, as failure of the testicles to descend permanently (cryptorchidism) may not only significantly impact sperm quality and later result in infertility but will also considerably increase the risk of testicular cancer. We therefore take great care to examine the possibility of cryptorchidism.
Does your child have increased problems with daytime or nighttime wetting, even at an older age? Up to the age of five years, nighttime wetting is considered normal and is nothing to worry about. By the time they start school, about 10% of boys still occasionally wet the bed at night, with a slightly lower rate among girls. This can often be quite stressful – not only for the child, but for the whole family. Yet there are ways to deal this issue, so please contact us for advice.
Does your child suffer from recurring bladder infections? These infections are not only an ordeal for your child each time they occur but could permanently damage their kidneys. Early diagnosis and treatment for childhood urinary tract infections are therefore particularly important.
In a similar way to heartburn, the urine can also flow backwards: Rather than drain completely, the urine flows back up to the kidneys from the bladder. This results in recurring urinary tract infections, which over the long term can permanently damage a child’s kidneys and impair kidney function. Depending on the severity, a risk-adapted solution is therefore required – from active monitoring to endoscopic treatment.
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are sexually transmitted pathogens. They cause genital and/or anal warts and can lead to cancer in both men and women. Fortunately, there is a vaccine that can be given as early as childhood to protect against later infections from these viruses. The Standing Committee on Vaccination at the Robert Koch Institute in Germany (STIKO) also recommends HPV vaccinations – for both girls and boys. It is a vaccination that can save lives.