Pediatric Urological Emergencies: Epidemiology, Pattern and Treatment Outcome

Abstract

Background: Pediatric urological emergencies constitute an essential part of pediatric surgical practice and remain a common event in the children emergency room. The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience in the management of pediatric urologic emergencies. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of children aged 15 years and below who presented, as emergent/urgent cases, to the Children Emergency Room (CHER) with problems of the urogenital system. This study covered a period of 5 years. The data extracted included the patients’ age, gender, presenting complaint, clinical diagnosis, operative procedure performed, duration of hospital stay and outcome of treatment. Results: Out of 4,986 cases of pediatric surgical emergencies seen during the 5 year study period, pediatric urologic emergencies accounted for 502 (10.1%) cases of the emergencies. More males were affected. Acutely swollen scrotum and acute hydrocele were the predominant presenting complaint and diagnosis respectively. Urethral catheterization was the most performed emergency procedure. Herniotomy for hydrocele was the most performed electively. Out of the 502 cases of urologic emergencies seen, 221 (44.0%) were discharged from the CHER for follow up in the outpatient clinic. There were 10 (2%) mortalities resulting mostly from overwhelming sepsis. Conclusion: Urologic emergencies in children may be a cause of morbidity and mortality. Adequate knowledge of the pattern, presentation and management outcome is important to improve patients’ care.