Frequent Questions
The Urology Division at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center provides these responses to questions commonly asked by parents.
What is a Pediatric Urologist?
A pediatric urologist is a surgeon who has devoted his / her career to the care of children. He / she has completed a residency in an approved urology training program, has completed a formal fellowship in Pediatric Urology and is board-certified / eligible in Urology.
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How do I schedule a surgery?
- If you think your child needs surgery or your primary care doctor has referred your child to Urology for surgery, call our Call Center to schedule a preoperative evaluation appointment with one of our urologists. You can reach the Call Center by calling 513-636-4975, option 1 or 1-800-344-2462, extension 4975, option 1.
- Before a surgery is scheduled, the pediatric urologist must examine your child to evaluate what is the need for surgery and what would be the best procedure for your child.
- Once the pediatric urologist has examined your child, he will explain the surgery procedure and the benefits and risks of surgery.
- If you decide to go ahead with the surgery, the pediatric urologist's surgery scheduler will arrange a future surgery time with you. Surgery is not scheduled the same day as the first doctor's appointment.
- Once you have been given a surgery date, you may call that surgery scheduler if you need to change the date or you have any questions. The scheduler will give you a packet of information with phone numbers to reach the scheduling office directly.
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What will happen at my child's first Urology office visit?
- First you will register your child. Please arrive a few minutes early for registration and bring your insurance cards, BCMH letter (if applicable) and co-pay with you.
- When it is your child's turn to be seen, a nurse or patient care assistant will measure your child's weight, height and blood pressure.
- Your child may be asked to urinate in a cup privately in a bathroom.
- Then you and your child will be placed in an exam room, where the nurse will ask you questions about your child's history and medications.
- Finally the urologist or nurse practitioner will meet you and your child in the exam room. The urologist or nurse practitioner will review your child's history and your concerns with you.
- Then the urologist or nurse practitioner will examine your child, focusing on the abdomen, pelvic and outer genital area. The examination will be gentle and non-invasive with respect for your child's emotional concerns.
- Once the exam is complete, the urologist or nurse practitioner will discuss recommendations and options for treatment with you and your child. You will have a chance to ask questions and make your own decisions about the best treatment.
Please be aware that many different caregivers see patients in our office space at the same time, so your child may not be called in the order of your arrival. You will be seen in order of your appointment time with your particular provider.
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How do I make an appointment see a doctor or practitioner in the Pediatric Urology Department?
To schedule an appointment with the Divison of Urology at Cincinnati Children's, please phone our Call Center, 513-636-4975, option #1 or 1-800-344-2462, extension 4975, option #1.
Some insurance companies require a referral to a specialist from your primary care physician. It is your responsibility to arrange the referral prior to your child's appointment.
Depending on your child's diagnosis, we require testing prior to your child's first pediatric urology. These tests should be ordered by your child's primary care physician. If testing is needed, your primary care physician will be contacted.
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What are the signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI)? (Link to health topic)
In infants, the signs and symptoms are:
- Blood in the urine
- Crankiness
- Drowsiness
- Poor feeding
In children and teens, the signs and symptoms are:
- Burning on urination
- Frequent urination
- A strong urge to urinate but the bladder is not full
- New or worsening urine accidents
- Foul-smelling urine
- Blood in the urine
Sometimes the bacteria will move all the way to one or both kidneys and cause a kidney infection (pyelonephritis). Common signs of a kidney infection include the signs above as well as:
The best way to diagnosis a urinary tract infection is to get a urine culture. The results of the urine culture will tell your doctor the best way to treat the infection.
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What locations do you see patients?
Our doctors and practitioners see patients at the following office locations:
Surgeries are performed at the main hospital in Clifton and Cincinnati Children's Mason Campus.
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Why does my child need to wait until they are at least 6 months old for elective surgery(not urgent surgery) such as a circumcision or hypospadias repair?
If surgery is elective, our physicians feel it is better to give the baby time to grow before doing surgery that is not urgent.
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Will Pediatric Urology at Cincinnati Children's see patients who live outside of the Cincinnati area?
Yes, we will be happy to see patients from outside of the Cincinnati area. We commonly treat patients from across the nation and international locations.
You will need to make arrangements with your insurance company for authorization. Our office can assist you with these insurance and financial arrangements.
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