Pediatric Urology
The Pediatric Urology department at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital diagnoses and treats conditions concerning the urinary tract, reproductive organs and kidneys. Many pediatric urologists treat children as early as birth, but at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon our SLUCare Physician Group pediatric urologists diagnose and help treat babies before they’re even born through the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon St. Louis Fetal Care Institute. The SLUCare Division of Pediatric Urology receives hundreds of clinic visits each year and delivers more than 400 outpatient services annually.
We are national leaders in laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures, which allow for faster, less painful recoveries and almost invisible scars. In addition, a collaborative effort with the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon St. Louis Fetal Care Institute enables our pediatric urologists to detect critical urologic issues in babies prior to birth.
Diagnosing Urological Conditions
A child having frequent, uncontrolled or painful urination, could be a sign of a serious urological condition. Children are not small adults, though, and don’t always know how to tell an adult if something is wrong. Resources like our elimination diary or our urinary, bowel and sleep questionnaire can help you keep track of their urination and bowel movement patterns.
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon uses state-of-the-art testing to diagnose urologic diseases and disorders in babies, children and adolescents. We are even able to detect urologic issues in babies before they’re born in collaboration with the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon St. Louis Fetal Care Institute.
These tests include:
- Biopsy
- Blood tests
- Computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan
- Cystoscopy
- Intravenous pyelogram
- Nuclear renal scan
- Ultrasound
- Ureteroscopy
- Urodynamics
- Voiding cystourethrogram
- X-ray
Conditions We Treat
Urological conditions, or abnormalities of the urinary tract and/or kidneys, are very common among children in the United States, affecting millions each year.
Urologic conditions we diagnosed and treated include:
- Ambiguous genitalia
- Bladder Exstrophy
- Hematuria
- Hernias and hydroceles
- Hypospadias
- Incontinence
- Kidney stones
- Megaureter
- Neurogenic bladder
- Undescended testes
- Ureteropelvic junction obstruction
- Urinary stones
- Urinary tract infection
- Vesicoureteral reflux
Specialized Urology Programs & Services
Voiding Dysfunction Program
For children diagnosed with dysfunctional voiding, we offer a stepwise approach which outlines specific behavioral modifications along with medical intervention, as needed. It is the only program of its kind in the region to offer pediatric biofeedback therapy, a way to help your child better understand how the body works and how to control it in healthier ways. We do this on-campus through the use of state-of-the-art urodynamic systems. Botox bladder treatments also are available for children with severe voiding problems.
Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR)
For children with primary VUR that causes a backward flow of urine from the bladder to the kidneys, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon offers endoscopic treatment with Deflux injections. The outpatient procedure avoids surgery and has a very high success rate.
Adult Congenital Urology Program
To enable a smooth transition of care as a child becomes an adult, the Division of Pediatric Urology and reconstructive urologists at SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital offer a collaborative program for patients with long-term urologic conditions.
Fetal Care
As part of the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, our pediatric urologists often meet with the parents-to-be prior to the birth of their child to outline a treatment plan and answer any questions. The urology team works closely with the obstetricians, neonatologists, nephrologists and other specialists involved and conduct regular conferences to discuss shared patient cases.
What to Expect When You Visit
When you come for your child’s visit, you should expect to go over a fair amount of information, especially on your first visit. Please bring any medical records, x-rays or lab results/reports from your pediatrician or from another referring physician. These things can even be brought in on CD or DVD to make for a faster transfer.
The urology care team may ask that you have one or more of the following documents filled out before your child's visit:
Our Multidisciplinary Approach
At SSM Health Cardinal Glennon, we treat the whole child. Often times this means treating not just one illness or disease. To provide the best, most complete care possible, the Pediatric Urology team works with a multi-disciplinary team of doctors and health care professionals as well as with different areas or departments within the hospital. Some of these include:
- Clinical Nutrition
- Nephrology
- St. Louis Fetal Care Institute
- Surgery Services
Our Research
The division is in the process of conducting research on urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux in pre-pubertal girls. Over the course of this study, the team demonstrated the ability to non-invasively sample and characterize the perineal and vulvar microflora in pre-pubertal girls. This lays the groundwork for future studies that will focus on alterations in the microflora associated with urinary tract infections and antibiotic treatment.
Request an Appointment
Our innovative treatment options and multi-disciplinary approach to patient care makes us a go-to destination for children diagnosed with urinary tract or kidney problems. To make an appointment with a SLUCare Physician Group urologist, please call us at 314-268-4010. We look forward to working with you and your child.
