Pediatric Urology

Why choose UCLA Health for pediatric urology?

At UCLA Health, our specialists are highly skilled at addressing the unique urological needs of children. We combine unparalleled expertise with advanced technology to deliver world-class care. Highlights of our program include:

Multispecialty team: Pediatric urologists work closely with nephrologists, radiologists, orthopedists, endocrinologists and other specialists to provide care for children with urologic conditions. We customize every treatment plan and focus on well-rounded care. Your child has a team of experts devoted to their well-being.

Dedicated care for children: Many urologic conditions affect only children or affect children differently than adults. That’s why it’s essential to seek care from doctors who understand the unique needs of kids. Pediatric urologists at UCLA Health devote 100% of their practice to the care of children.

Specialty clinics: At the Clark-Morrison Children's Urological Center at UCLA, our team offers specialized urologic care for children with spina bifida and other spinal cord abnormalities. Pediatric urologists and specialists come together at the UCLA Health Spina Bifida Clinic to help children with this condition become independent adults.

Minimally invasive surgical techniques: Our pediatric urologists are skilled at the most advanced, minimally invasive techniques to treat a range of conditions. We use robotic and endoscopic surgery techniques designed specifically for children. These approaches allow us to operate with exceptional precision while reducing post-operative pain and recovery time.

Advanced care after surgery: We work with pediatric hospitalists, pediatric anesthesiologists and Child Life specialists to ensure that your child receives excellent care while recovering from surgery. Offering several pain control options, including general anesthesia, regional and spinal anesthesia and non-narcotic alternatives, we focus on your child’s comfort throughout the postoperative process. Our goal is to help your child recover as quickly as possible in an environment that focuses on the unique needs of children.

Our areas of care

At UCLA Health, your child receives personalized care, from diagnosis throughout treatment. Because urologic conditions can involve the kidneys, bladder, genitals, nerves and several body systems, a multispecialty team focuses on your child’s care. We’re proud to offer:

Advanced diagnostics

UCLA Health pediatric urologists use the latest tests, imaging studies and procedures to evaluate a range of urologic problems. We work closely with UCLA Health genetics and maternal-fetal experts to diagnose congenital (from birth) abnormalities as early as possible, sometimes even in the womb. Early and accurate diagnoses allow us to deliver timely and effective treatments.

Minimally invasive treatments

At UCLA Pediatric Urology, we lead the way in minimally invasive and robotic surgery for children. Our surgeons perform endoscopic, microscopic and laparoscopic procedures. We also use the da Vinci robotic surgical system to operate through small incisions.

For many children, robotic surgery may mean:

• Less pain after surgery
• Smaller scars
• Shorter hospital stays
• Faster return to normal activities

We take time to understand your child’s needs and determine whether robotic surgery is the best option. We talk with you about what to expect before, during and after surgery. Every child is unique, and safety is always our highest priority.

Our team includes pediatric anesthesiologists specially trained to give general anesthesia to children. They focus on safety and comfort throughout the procedure.

We use robotic surgery to treat many common pediatric urologic conditions, including:

• Heminephroureterectomy: Removal of part of a kidney and its ureter
• Mitrofanoff creation (appendicovesicostomy): Creation of a small channel to empty the bladder using the appendix
• Nephrectomy: Removal of a kidney
• Orchiopexy for intra-abdominal testis: Surgery to move an undescended testicle into the scrotum
• Prostatic utricle removal: Removal of a small pouch near the prostate
• Pyeloplasty: Repair of a blockage where the kidney drains urine
• Urachal cyst removal: Removal of a fluid-filled sac between the bladder and belly button
• Ureteral reimplantation: Repositioning the ureter to prevent urine from flowing backward
• Ureterectomy: Removal of a ureter

Pediatric urology research and innovation

UCLA Health pediatric urologists collaborate with multiple pediatric hospitals to better understand rare conditions and improve pediatric care. We’ve joined The Western Pediatric Urology Consortium and the Pediatric KIDney Stone Care Improvement Network (PKIDS) to pioneer new treatments and make current therapies more effective.

Our division is at the forefront of innovation, with ongoing research in the laboratory and in the clinics to improve pediatric care both now and in the future. Learn more about UCLA Health pediatric urology research. 

Children’s urologic conditions we treat

Our doctors have deep knowledge of urologic conditions and how they affect children specifically. We treat the full range of problems, including:

Cancer and benign (noncancerous) tumors: Urologic cancers can affect the kidneys, bladder, testicles or vagina.

Congenital abnormalities (problems that are present at birth): Some of these urological conditions include hydronephrosis (swollen kidneys due to urine collecting in the urinary tract) and hypospadias (abnormalities of the penis).

Differences in sexual development (DSD): We partner with experts in several specialties to treat all differences in sex development. There are several types of DSD. These disorders can cause abnormalities in a child’s reproductive organs or sex chromosomes. Some children are born with genitals that are atypical (not clearly male or female).

Kidney stones: Crystals or stones form in the kidneys when certain substances, such as calcium, build up and don’t leave the body with urine. Kidney stones can affect children and babies. In children, they often result from a diet that includes too much salt.

Neurogenic bladder: This condition happens when a child doesn’t have control over the bladder (urinary incontinence) due to problems with the nerves, spinal cord or brain. Neurogenic bladder can result from many conditions, including spina bifida (when the spinal cord doesn’t develop properly before birth).

Testicular problems: We treat common conditions that affect the testicles and the scrotum (the bag of skin that surrounds the testicles). These conditions include undescended testicles (testicles remain inside a baby’s abdomen at birth) and varicocele (swollen veins in the scrotum).

Vesicoureteral reflux: This condition occurs when urine flows backward, away from the bladder. Instead of leaving the body, urine flows to the ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder) or to the kidneys. Vesicoureteral reflux can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) and damage the kidneys.

Pediatric urology treatments we offer

At UCLA Health, our pediatric urologists specialize in delivering customized treatments based on your child’s age, health and symptoms. Depending on the diagnosis, your child may need medications, a minimally invasive procedure or traditional surgery. We work as a team with specialists across UCLA Health to ensure that every treatment is customized and focused on your child’s well-being.

If your child needs surgery, you can trust our expert team. Using the latest techniques, our team is specially trained to meet the unique needs of children. We’re here for you and your family at every step.

Meet our team

Every doctor on our team is fellowship trained in pediatric urology. As experts in the field, we have served in leadership positions on the American Urologic Association and the Society for Pediatric Urology. We collaborate with specialists in several departments to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care for your child.

Contact us

Call 310-794-7700 to connect with a UCLA Health pediatric urologist.