Children's Urology Clinic

Congenital abnormalities of the genital organs can affect the penis, scrotum, or testicles in boys, and the vagina or labia in girls.

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Abnormalities of the Genital Organs in Boys

Hypospadias

Hypospadias is a congenital condition in boys where the opening of the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body) is located on the underside of the penis, rather than at the tip. The position of the urethral opening can vary, ranging from just below the tip of the penis to somewhere along the shaft or even near the scrotum. Hypospadias must be properly surgically repaired by Consultant Paediatric Urologists who have expertise in performing this very delicate procedure.

Peno-Scrotal Web

A peno-scrotal web , also known as "webbed penis," is a congenital condition where there is an abnormal connection of skin between the underside of the penis and the scrotum. This creates a web-like appearance, which can sometimes make the penis appear shorter. Medium to severe peno-scrotal webs require surgical intervention to restore a typical appearance and proportion of the penis and scrotum.

Undescended testis

Also known as cryptorchidism , is a condition where one or both of a new born boy's testicles haven’t dropped into the scrotum prior to birth. Although the scrotum may appear normal, upon examination, you can easily feel that one or both of your son’s testicles are missing. If the testicular bag remains empty by the age of 12 months, it should be treated surgically, as there might be higher risks of testicular cancer and infertility or reduced fertility later in life if it is left untreated.

Normally, the testes develop in the abdomen of a featus and move down into the scrotum before or shortly after birth. If this descent does not occur, the testis may remain in the abdomen or may be located along the way such as in the inguinal canal.

In the case of undescended testicle(s), there are generally no obvious symptoms, other than the inability to feel the testicles in the scrotum (testicular sac). A physical examination can sometimes be challenging, even for your GP, who may need to refer your child to a paediatric urologist for confirmation of the diagnosis and to decide on the next steps for treatment.

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BXO or Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans

BXO is a condition that typically affects boys at a young age, usually after the age of 5, with most cases occurring around the age of 9-10 years.

The most common sign is a foreskin that is tight around the glans (head of the penis) and cannot be retracted (non-retractile) because of scarring inside the foreskin. Children with this condition often report pain during urination, a rigid foreskin, and a urine stream that does not flow in a straight line.

During the examination, the specialist doctor will assess whether the foreskin is retractile and look for signs of chronic inflammation and scarring of the foreskin. In some cases, the glans and the meatus (the opening at the tip of the penis) may also be affected by the inflammation.

BXO should be treated promptly to prevent the progression of scarring and reduce the risk of progressive infections. The recommended treatment is circumcision performed under general anaesthesia by a specialist doctor. In milder cases, steroid creams may provide temporary relief, but this is not a permanent solution.

Inguinal Hernia in Children

An inguinal hernia in a child is a type of hernia that develops in the groin area. The term "inguinal" refers to the groin, which is the region between your child's abdomen and thighs. An inguinal hernia happens when a portion of your child's intestine protrudes through an opening in the abdominal wall and into the inguinal canal and can be seen as swelling or a bulge in the groin area.

Inguinal hernias are more common in baby boys and premature infants but can develop at any age. They may occur on one or both sides. Often, the swelling in the groin is only noticeable when the baby cries or coughs.

The only treatment for an inguinal hernia is surgical repair, and it should be performed as soon as possible due to the risk of a portion of the bowel becoming trapped (strangulated) in the hernia opening.

Our Consultant Paediatric Surgeon & Urologist perform the procedure under general anaesthesia. The surgery itself takes around 30 minutes, and the child is typically discharged the same day.