Urology Clinic
The specialists at UCSF’s Pediatric Urology Clinic have training and experience in the most advanced methods of diagnosing and treating urological or genital problems in babies and children. These conditions range widely from relatively minor issues such as bed-wetting to structural conditions such as hernias and undescended testicles to serious birth defects affecting organ formation or function.
Seemingly simple urinary problems such as incontinence (wetting or "accidents") can have a variety of causes, so a thorough evaluation is the first step in our care for every child. Our patients benefit from easy access to any needed testing services, ranging from laboratory tests such as urinalysis to imaging studies such as X-rays. Our doctors and support staff are also dedicated to providing compassionate care that is sensitive to the emotional and psychological needs of our patients, as well as their families.
For kids whose conditions require surgery, we are often able to perform minimally invasive procedures, which require only tiny incisions and allow patients to go home the same day – and recover quickly. Our pediatric specialists pioneered many of the endoscopic, laparoscopic and robotic techniques that make it possible for formerly complex surgeries to be done this way. Some of the conditions we routinely treat on an outpatient basis are hypospadias, undescended testicles, hernias and hydroceles.
Our surgical team can correct even severe penile deformities on an outpatient basis, reducing stress on families and young patients. The team also specializes in treating patients who've had unsuccessful surgeries in the past.
Our pediatric urologists are also experts in treating particularly complex conditions, such as exstrophy (a birth defect in which the bladder develops outside the fetus), disorders of sex development (conditions causing atypical genitals), and Wilms tumor (a childhood cancer of the kidney). Because babies and children with such problems require many types of specialized care, our urologists work with a team that includes fetal medicine specialists, nephrologists (kidney specialists), endocrinologists (hormone specialists), oncologists, radiologists, orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons.
Our locations (5)
Awards & recognition
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One of the nation's best in urology
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Ranked among the nation's best in 10 specialties
Plan your visit
What to Bring
- Photo I.D.
- Health insurance card
- Insurance authorization, if required
- Doctor's referral, if required
- Recent test results related to your child's condition
- List of medications, including dosages, plus any your child is allergic to
- List of questions you may have
- Device or paper for taking notes
Related Clinics (3)
6
Continence Clinic
Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) Clinic
Our research initiatives
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UCSF Baskin Lab
The Baskin Laboratory investigates the causes of pediatric urological diseases present at birth or acquired later. The lab's research has a special focus on curing and preventing hypospadias, in which the urethra's opening is on the underside of the penis.
Support services
Soothing the soul
Our music therapy program nurtures patients with bedside serenades, rap workshops and more.
Find out more