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DUCK clinic cares for:

 

  • Children 3 years old or older and who are potty trained.
  • Children who have urine problems during the day OR during the day and night.
  • Please note: children who ONLY have nighttime bed wetting are seen in the Kidney Center.

 

At DUCK clinic, we see children having these problems:

 

  • Infection of the urine system or symptoms of infection when no germ is there.
  • Wetting pants during the day.
  • Passing urine very often, even when not drinking a lot.
  • Pain when passing urine.
  • Sudden need to pass urine, even when the child just went.
  • Having a hard time starting the urine stream or keeping it going.
  • Cannot empty the bladder.
  • Constipation that impacts bladder behavior.

 

Connection between bowel and bladder

 

The bladder and bowel communicate, and your child’s urinary problems may be affected by their bowel habits. Often, children with urinary problems also struggle with constipation. If you or your primary care provider suspect constipation could be part of the problem, we may try to treat that first or refer you to the BRICK clinic for chronic constipation before coming to the DUCK clinic.

Who will care for my child?

 

An advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) with special training on how to help kids with urine problems will see your child.

See all the members of the Urology team at CM

 

What do I need to do before my child’s appointment?

 

  • Get an X-ray of your child’s belly (abdomen) before your appointment. We will help you schedule this, often right before your appointment.
  • Complete a list of questions we send you about how your child pees and poops.
  • It’s helpful to take notes about your child’s peeing and pooping for 2-3 days before your appointment. This helps us understand your child's issues. Be sure to track:
    • Time of the day.
    • Length of time in the bathroom.
    • The color of the pee and poop and what it looks like.

 

Helpful Documents to Complete before your Visit

Follow-up care

 

Your child may also need:

  • Ultrasound of your child’s urine system.
  • Bladder scan.
  • Urine test.
  • Urine culture (to check for infection).

 

Some treatment options:  

 

  • Behavior training or modification.
  • Bladder medications.
  • Medications to help with pooping or referral to BRICK clinic/GI
  • Pediatric pelvic floor physical therapy with biofeedback. This will help your child strengthen and relax the muscles that hold and release pee.
  • Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Simulation (PTNS) - A therapy to stimulate the nerves in your leg that talk to to your bladder. This can help to calm down your bladder so you have to pee less often.

 

What to Expect

 

How long will my appointment be?

 

Please plan for at least 40 minutes for your appointment with us, in addition to any x-rays your child may need.

Where will my appointment be?

 

  • Follow-up visits can be either be in person or using Children’s Mercy KidCare Anywhere telehealth app. This will be your choice.

 

How often will my child need to be seen?

 

This will depend on your child’s health issue, their symptoms, and when you are available.

Conditions

  • Voiding dysfunction

  • Urinary incontinence

  • Urinary urgency

  • Urinary frequency

  • Nocturnal enuresis

  • Dysuria

  • Recurrent urinary infections

  • Recurrent testicular pain

  • Penile pain

Glossary of urology terms

 

Urinary tract

The part of the body that makes urine and removes urine. Includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.

Urinary urgency

The feeling of needing to pee right away. This can include:
  • Running to the restroom.
  • Sitting on heel/squatting to help hold urine in.
  • Potty dance or crossing legs.

Urinary frequency

Peeing often or needing to pee after just peeing.

Bladder habits

Peeing patterns

Bowel habits

Poop/stooling patterns

Urine

Pee

Stool

Poop

Urinalysis and urine culture

Urine tests collected by peeing into a cup or by inserting a tube into the bladder.

Incontinence

Pee accidents. Can include:

  • Small Volume Incontinence: damp underwear or dribbles before/after peeing.

  • Full Bladder Incontinence: wet or soaked underwear that requires a change of clothes.

Dysuria

Burning feeling while peeing.

Urinary retention

The bladder is not able to empty, or when a child is unable to pee for 8 or more hours.

Incomplete bladder emptying

The bladder can empty at appropriate times, but does not empty all the pee.

Urinary straining

The feeling of having to push to get pee out.

Urinary hesitancy

Difficulty starting to pee.