Genitourinary trauma in children

Abstract

More children die from trauma than from any single disease. In children who sustain multiple injuries, urinary tract trauma is second only to trauma to the central nervous system. Most pediatric trauma is associated with vehicular and pedestrian accidents. However, the increased participation in contact sports and awareness of sports medicine injuries have increased the relative frequency and detection of sports-related injuries as well. Also, the urologist is frequently involved with, and may be legally responsible for, evaluation of children in possible abusive situations. The authors emphasize genitourinary injuries unique to the pediatric age group and update controversies in the management of more complex urologic injuries.