Abnormal Urinary Stream

What is An Abnormal Urinary Flow?

Children experience an abnormal urine flow due to certain conditions affecting the urinary tract or bladder. Parents may notice an abnormal urine stream at birth, or during diaper changes, for example. Other times, an abnormal urine flow may not be noticed or become apparent until the child is of toilet training age.

An abnormal urine flow is not a condition in and of itself; rather, it may be a sign of another underlying condition that should be discussed with your child’s pediatrician or a pediatric urologist.

Urologic Conditions That Can Cause An Abnormal Urine Flow

• Meatal stenosis – Meatal stenosis is a narrowing of the external opening of the urethra, and can cause a high-pressure, deviated, or splayed urinary stream. Often, difficulty aiming the stream into the toilet after toilet training is a sign of meatal stenosis.
• Hypospadias
• Posterior urethral valves – This is a congenital condition in boys where extra flaps of tissue have grown in the urethra, blocking the normal flow of urine.
• Behavioral abnormalities that can tighten the urethral sphincter.

If you notice that your child is straining to urinate or has a urine stream that is not normal, it’s important to discuss this with your child’s doctor so that he or she can rule out any conditions that may need attention or require monitoring as your child grows.