“I reassure families and let them know that many urologic conditions are not as uncommon as they might imagine.”
Jessica Casey, MS, MD is a Pediatric Urologist at the Children’s Medical Center at Summerlin Hospital and Children's Urology Associates, Las Vegas.
What is a pediatric urologist?
We provide care and treatment for a wide variety of conditions related to the bladder, kidneys and genitalia in babies and children. Among the many different health issues we address are complex circumcisions, congenital urological problems, urinary tract infections, bed-wetting and advanced reconstructive surgery of the urinary tract.
What particular conditions should parents be aware of?
For some boys, one or both testicles do not descend into the scrotum before birth. If this condition hasn’t resolved on its own by the time your child is 6 months old, early intervention can help improve potential fertility and decrease the risk of testicular cancer in the future. Another serious problem is testicular torsion (or twisting), which is marked by a sudden onset of scrotal pain in boys and teens and requires immediate emergency care to prevent death of the testicle. For girls, we commonly see patients with recurrent urinary tract infections. A pediatric urologist can provide treatment and determine if there is an underlying medical condition increasing their risk for infection.
What if my child is uncomfortable talking about a urological problem?
It can be natural for kids and even parents to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable talking about these very private subjects. As a parent, it’s important to talk with your kids and let them know they can tell you if they feel pain or discomfort. Even though it can be hard to talk about at first, getting treatment can relieve kids’ anxieties about problems they may be having and help them feel better in the end.
What do you enjoy about your work?
I find it rewarding to counsel families and help them feel more reassured about their treatment options. As a mother to three young children, I understand what it’s like to be a parent. I want to help kids and their families get the care they need so they can enjoy living their best, healthiest lives.
Supporting healthy starts
Sometimes during pregnancy, an ultrasound can reveal urologic or genital concerns that require special care and counseling. Dr. Casey notes that a pediatric urologist can help to evaluate and manage these conditions before birth to ensure that expectant moms and their babies receive the care they need.
Children's Medical Center
The Children's Medical Center at Summerlin Hospital Medical Center provides advanced care to infants, children, adolescents and teenagers.