Warning Signs of Urinary Obstruction in Children
Urinary obstruction occurs when something is blocking the normal flow of urine in a child’s body. It is one of the most frequently encountered pediatric urinary problems and, when left untreated, can result in serious health issues. The blockage can happen at different points from the kidneys to the bladder or urethra, the part of the body that expels urine.
The majority of urinary tract issues in children originate with congenital anomalies, i.e., birth defects in the structure of the urinary system. Early diagnosis can prevent permanent kidney damage.
In this blog, we are going to understand the following are the most frequent warning signs for urinary obstruction in children that parents need to observe. But first, we will go through the causes that lead to urinary obstruction.
Causes of urinary obstruction in children
Posterior Urethral Valves: It is a condition in babies, especially in boys, where the urethra (the tube that passes urine out of the body) has extra flaps of tissue. Those flaps obstruct or retard the movement of the urine out of the bladder. It’s one of those things that are there since birth, and if it’s not treated early, it can be severe.
Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction: This is an obstruction where the kidney meets the ureter (the tube that leads urine to the bladder). It is capable of causing swelling of the kidney. It can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (developed).
Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR): In this situation, urine is going the wrong way up from the bladder and sometimes even into the kidneys. This backflow can take bacteria into the kidneys, causing recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sometimes kidney damage.
Vesicoureteric Junction Obstruction (VUJO): In this situation, there is an obstruction at the bottom of the ureter where it attaches to the bladder. This, in turn, makes it hard for urine to travel from the ureter to the bladder. Your kidneys can be damaged after a while, and urine can back up.
Warning Signs of Urinary Obstruction in Children
These signs help you to get the right treatment for your children. The signs are:
Pain or difficulty passing Urine: The child may cry, be irritated, or seem uncomfortable when peeing. Older children might also report that it burns when they urinate or that they have pressure. This is frequently reported in the setting of PUV.
Swelling: A lump or swelling may be felt on one side of the belly (abdomen) or back. This may be a symptom that the kidney is swollen with urine. This condition is often linked to Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction (UPJO).
Urinary Tract Issues in Children: This is one of the most important urinary obstructions in children, which, if not treated, can lead to urinary tract problems in children. Symptoms include fever, smelly or cloudy urine, discomfort while urinating, or urinating often. Recurrent UTIs can be a sign of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) or other obstructions.
Poor or dribbling urinary stream: More common in boys, the child may experience a weak or slow urine flow. This can be due to PUV, where flaps in the urethra obstruct the flow of urine.
Frequent or sudden urination: The child may run to the bathroom as if there is no time to waste or may need to go often, but only a little urine is likely to pass.
Bedwetting accidents: A toilet-trained child may begin to have nighttime accidents or daytime leaks. This may be a result of a bladder obstruction or incomplete urine emptying.
Blood in the urine: A pink, red, or brown shade to your urine can signal blood in your urine. This may result from kidney damage or infections caused by obstructions, and it is one of the pediatric urinary problems.
Swollen genital area: The penis or scrotum often appears swollen, especially in boys. It may be associated with pediatric urogenital disorders such as urinary flow blockage.
Feeding problems in babies: Babies might fail to gain weight or vomit a lot. This may be because the long-term damage affects the kidney function.
Irritability and crying for no reason: If babies cry during urination or seem irritable when they have no reason to be, they may have urinary pain. This is an early sign that something could be missing.
Final thought
Children can show signs, only they are not able to express what they are feeling; thus, if you notice any of these signs, then make an early appointment for urinary obstruction treatment in Jaipur. With early treatment, you can prevent future complications and also save your children from other serious health issues.
