Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are a relevant problem in the pediatric population, having a very high prevalence. Diurnal incontinence and nocturnal enuresis are surely the most frequent symptoms, presenting, respectively, in up to 30% of school-age children and up to 10% of children between 6 and 7 years. Stypsis is the most common comorbidity, and it must be considered in the management of LUTS; indeed, the treatment of constipation is curative in most cases for both incontinence and enuresis. The presence or absence of diurnal symptoms in nocturnal enuresis and urgency in diurnal incontinence helps in the differential diagnosis. Urotherapy is always the first-line treatment, while oxybutynin and desmopressin (where appropriate) may help if the first-line treatment is unsuccessful. It is essential to identify conditions that are potentially dangerous for kidney and urinary tract well-being, for which LUTS can be the first manifestation. Starting from a series of clinical scenarios, we will underline the diagnostic clues behind LUTS in children and we will summarize clinical and surgical approaches for the proper management of these conditions.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland). 2023 Apr 30*** epublish ***
Pier Luigi Palma, Pierluigi Marzuillo, Anna Di Sessa, Stefano Guarino, Daniela Capalbo, Maria Maddalena Marrapodi, Giulia Buccella, Sabrina Cameli, Emanuele Miraglia Del Giudice, Marco Torella, Nicola Colacurci, Carlo Capristo
Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80128 Naples, Italy.