Urology Services and Innovations

The Children’s Hospital of Michigan Pediatric Urology Department offers a number of unique services aimed at successfully treating a various pediatric urological conditions including:

Behavioral Modification Voiding Program (Be MVP)

The Behavioral Modification Voiding Program (BeMVP) at the Children's Hospital of Michigan is dedicated to the care of children with dysfunctional elimination syndrome (DES). This includes daytime wetting, painful voiding, dribbling, increased or decreased voiding frequency, hesitancy, recurrent urinary tract infections, bed wetting and constipation. A multidisciplinary approach is required when evaluating and treating patients with these conditions. The shame and humiliation of frequent “accidents” sometimes cause psychological problems for children. Children with DES may also suffer from frequent urinary tract infections. In severe cases, DES may lead to kidney failure and require surgical intervention. As a result, a wide variety of specialists may be involved in patient care — including a pediatric urologist, nephrologist, psychologist, biofeedback specialist and physical therapist. Working closely with patients, families and schools, the BeMVP team helps children learn healthy voiding habits.

During the clinic visit services include:

• Detailed history and physical examination;
• Urine examination;
• Bladder scan to measure the post void urine volume;
• Bladder and kidney ultrasound when indicated;
• Urodynamic evaluation (in selected patients) to assess bladder pressure, capacity, and voiding pressure;
• Behavioral techniques, dietary modifications, improved hydration, medications if needed, and Biofeedback for pelvic muscle retraining.

Nocturnal Enuresis (Bed Wetting)

The Pediatric Urology Department at the Children's Hospital of Michigan sees about several hundred patients a year with some form of enuresis, including nocturnal enuresis. About 70 percent of children who struggle with bed wetting will respond to some form of behavioral modification — biofeedback training, pelvic floor muscle relaxation or the use of a bed wetting alarm. About 30 percent of children don't respond to behavioral modification techniques. For these patients, it's important to identify the specific cause of the bed wetting. Medical causes might include polyuria, small bladder or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — each requiring a different approach to treatment. The multiple causes and treatments of bed wetting underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to care. At the Children's Hospital of Michigan, several pediatric subspecialists may be involved in the evaluation and treatment of each patient — including a pediatric urologist, nephrologist, psychologist and biofeedback specialist.

Biofeedback Training

This conservative non-surgical therapy available through the Pediatric Urology Division at the Children's Hospital of Michigan aims to teach children how to relax the muscles necessary for effective urination and bowel movements.

Bowel and Urinary Disorders Clinic

Researchers on the medical staff in the Department of Pediatric Urology at the Children's Hospital of Michigan demonstrated a link between constipation and urinary incontinence in children. Treatment of children with complex bowel and urinary disorders requires a multidisciplinary approach offered at the Children's Hospital of Michigan. Pediatric urologists work closely with pediatric gastroenterologists on staff, as well as a psychologist, biofeedback specialists and physical therapist to care for patients with chronic bowel and urinary conditions. 

Circumcision Clinic

The Children's Hospital of Michigan Circumcision Clinic provides one-on-one consultation, surgical appointment for circumcision in the operating room, and follow-up in clinic by an expert team of pediatric urologists, pediatric nurse practitioners and health professionals from The Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. The pediatric urologists at the Children's Hospital of Michigan routinely perform circumcision procedures.

New Born Circumcision Clinic

In addition to the Circumcision Clinic, Children’s Hospital of Michigan offers a Newborn Circumcision Clinic offering a consult and circumcision in the urology clinic the same day. Newborn circumcisions are only done on patients 8 weeks or younger. Learn more about the Newborn Circumcision Clinic

CLIC (Children Learning Intermittent Catheterization) Clinic

The Children's Hospital of Michigan Pediatric Urology CLIC (Children Learning Intermittent Catheterization) Clinic provides one-on-one consultation and education with an expert team of pediatric nurse practitioners, psychologists and child life specialists from The Children's Hospital of Michigan.

Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) Clinic

The Disorders of Sex Development (DSD) clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan is staffed by a pediatric urologist, endocrinologist and psychologist. Because these are rare disorders, researchers still have much to learn. This is why the DSD Clinic at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan has participated in research of the disorders.