Pediatric Rare Genitourinary Birth Defects and Disorders

Diagnosing rare genitourinary disorders early, for better treatment options

Your child’s urinary system is made up of the bladder, ureters and kidneys and urethra, which help control urine, or the flow of wastes and extra liquid from the body. The genital organs are involved in producing sex hormones and reproduction. Some birth defects can affect both urinary and genital organs.

Many times, rare genitourinary disorders are diagnosed before birth during an ultrasound. Early diagnosis allows time to develop the best possible treatment plan for your child, which may include surgery at some point in time after birth. In some cases, however, the abnormality is not discovered until after birth.

The UT Southwestern physicians practicing at Children’s Health are here to help explain your child’s condition and provide treatment options that focus on regaining function and restoring your child’s overall health.

The genitourinary system is made up of your child’s urinary and genital organs, which are located close together and sometimes interact with each other. Congenital (from birth) abnormalities that affect the urinary tract and genitals – such as the penis and testes in males, and the uterus and vagina in females – may happen during fetal development and can cause problems with reproductive function and properly cleansing the body of waste through urine. 

The pediatric urology team at Children’s Health℠ specializes in diagnosing and treating rare and unique genitourinary birth defects and disorders in newborns and young children. As one of the largest health care centers in the state providing treatment for these complex conditions, we have the experience needed to help your child regain genitourinary function and restore the health of their urinary and genital organs. Our goal is to answer your questions and work with you to develop a treatment plan that is customized to your child’s specific condition.