Overview
Pediatric urology disorders, such as those affecting the kidneys, bladder, urethra, or genital tract, can affect a child’s normal function as well as their self-esteem, health, and quality of life. At NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, we understand the impact these issues can have on your child and your family. Our pediatric urologists from NewYork-Presbyterian & Weill Cornell Medicine offer advanced diagnostic testing and treatments to children of all ages for a wide range of urologic disorders, from bedwetting and recurring urinary tract infections to complex urological conditions. We often begin working with families before their baby is born, when urologic issues are identified on prenatal ultrasounds. Our pediatric urologists work in close collaboration with other pediatric specialists to offer the most innovative and effective treatment options to obtain the best possible outcomes for your child.
About Our Program
At NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, our pediatric urologists from NewYork-Presbyterian & Weill Cornell Medicine provide advanced and comprehensive care for children with conditions affecting the kidneys, bladder, urethra, or genital tracts. Our patients receive specialized care from award-winning clinical staff who have extensive experience in treating a wide range of urologic conditions using the latest innovative therapies and minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Your child’s care begins with an accurate diagnosis based on comprehensive assessments of their anatomy, symptoms, and function. Our pediatric urologists collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatric radiologists, pediatric gastroenterologists, neonatologists, perinatologists, and other specialists who work collaboratively to coordinate a fully integrated plan of care.
Our dedicated team will partner with you to establish a care plan that is the most effective and the least invasive. They are committed to creating a child-friendly experience to ease your and your child’s concerns and will ensure that your child gets the needed care to lead a normal and healthy childhood.
As your child nears adulthood, our pediatric urology specialists collaborate with our adult urologists to prepare adolescents and young adults for a smooth transition from pediatric to adult care.
Should your child need more complex care, we can seamlessly connect you to our renowned pediatric urology team at NewYork-Presbyterian & Weill Cornell Medicine.
What We Treat
Our pediatric urology team treats young patients with all types of urologic concerns, including:
- Adolescent varicocele
- Anorectal malformations
- Bladder and cloacal exstrophy
- Bladder problems in spina bifida
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH)
- Cryptorchidism
- Ectopic ureters
- End-stage kidney disease
- Hydronephrosis
- Hypospadias
- Kidney stones
- Neurogenic bladder
- Newborn circumcision at age 2-3 months
- Posterior urethral valves
- Prune belly syndrome
- Reflux (backup of urine from the bladder toward the kidneys)
- Ureterocele
- Ureteropelvic junction obstruction
- Urinary tract infections
- Urination (voiding) problems, including bedwetting
- Vesicoureteral reflux
Specialized Services
At NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, our pediatric urology team offers a wide range of specialized services, including:
Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery
Today we perform many urologic surgeries using minimally invasive techniques to complete the surgery through just a few very small incisions, rather than one large incision. Our surgeons are experts in the use of robotic surgery in children, which provides an enhanced view of the surgical area and better dexterity with surgical instruments. Minimally invasive surgical approaches are associated with less pain and blood loss, smaller scars, and a quicker return to your child’s regular activities, such as school and sports.
Complex Urologic Reconstructive Surgery
Pediatric urologists perform complex reconstructive surgery for congenital issues (present at birth), including abnormalities of the bladder and urethra. We also “re-operate” when patients who have already had urologic surgery require another surgical repair. Our pediatric urologists are affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital, the country’s first center to be designated a Center of Excellence for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.
Urodynamics
We offer specialized testing for urination issues, including “uroflow” tests to assess bladder filling and emptying, video imaging to look for abnormalities in the bladder and urethra, and real-time ultrasound. We may recommend treatments such as biofeedback, medication, injections, or surgery based on the results.
Prenatal Assessment
It is often possible to see anatomic issues in your baby’s urinary system on a prenatal ultrasound. Beginning in the earliest stages of life, we closely collaborate with specialists at NewYork-Presbyterian’s John Thain Center for Prenatal Pediatrics and the NewYork-Presbyterian & Weill Cornell Medicine Fetal Care Center to assess abnormal findings on prenatal scans and develop a plan of care for your baby. Our centers offer all prenatal tests needed to diagnose urologic disorders, including ultrasound, voiding cystourethrography (a way to assess urine flow), nuclear renal (kidney) scans, and MRI.
Pediatric Kidney Stone Care
Treatments we offer for kidney stones in children include lithotripsy (shock wave treatment), laser therapy, stone removal performed through a catheter, and minimally invasive surgery.
Optimizing Kidney Transplantation
One in four children who need a kidney transplant or dialysis due to end-stage renal disease needs surgery to correct urologic issues. We work with the kidney transplant team and perform surgery before and after the transplant to enhance the survival of a transplanted kidney, reduce the risk of infections, and improve the urinary function of these children.
Our Approach to Care
Holistic and Comprehensive Care
At NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, we recognize that every child has a unique set of symptoms, circumstances, and needs. We take a holistic approach to care that considers the entire patient, including their physical, emotional, and social factors. We partner with patients and their families in shared decision-making, empowering them with knowledge, support, and the most effective treatment options to achieve the best possible outcome for every child.
Multidisciplinary Team Approach
At NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, our pediatric urology program integrates the expertise of pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, pediatric radiologists, pediatric gastroenterologists, neonatologists, perinatologists, and other surgical subspecialists who work collaboratively to coordinate a fully integrated plan of care.
Our pediatric urologists also collaborate with NewYork-Presbyterian’s network of specialists in all areas of pediatric medicine and surgery, allowing us to provide state-of-the-art, comprehensive, and coordinated care for any medical issue or concern.
Minimally Invasive Techniques
Our approach to pediatric urologic surgery also emphasizes minimally-invasive techniques whenever possible. This means smaller incisions, less discomfort, shorter healing times, and less-noticeable scarring.
Parents As Team Members
As a parent, only you can provide important information about your child. You can also help other team members shape your child’s personalized treatment program based on your child’s physical, emotional, and practical needs. Your input is critical for making final decisions regarding your child’s care. Our multidisciplinary team is here to work alongside you and your family to achieve your child’s best possible outcomes.
Why Choose Us
Expertise in Pediatric Urology
When you bring your child to our pediatric urologists for care, we carefully assess their function, anatomy, and needs and customize a plan of care that addresses those needs with expertise and compassion. Children come to our NewYork-Presbyterian pediatric urology specialists from all over the world for our reconstructive surgery expertise and other care that is difficult to find elsewhere. At NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital, pediatric urologists are known for treating children whose issues were considered too complex by other hospitals. We are a major referral center for challenging operations such as genitourinary reconstruction.
Seamless Access to World-Class Medical Experts
NewYork-Presbyterian Queens is affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian & Weill Cornell Medicine, an Ivy League medical school that is among the nation’s best in patient care, medical education, and research. We offer many of the highly specialized services typically found in an academic medical center, but without the commute to Manhattan and in the comfortable setting of a local community hospital. Your child has access to the world-class resources available through our affiliations with the NewYork-Presbyterian healthcare network, ensuring that they receive the most advanced care close to home.
Affiliated with Nationally Ranked Children’s Hospitals
NewYork-Presbyterian Queens offers young patients seamless access to two renowned children’s hospitals, NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital and NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital. Both hospitals are among the nation’s leading centers for diagnosing and treating childhood diseases. They are major referral centers for complex and rare disorders in infants, children, and adolescents.
Convenient Locations
Through NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group Queens, we offer pediatric healthcare services at several convenient locations close to where you live or work.