Does your son cry when he urinates? Does the urine leak? This could be Meatal Stenosis!

Does your little one suddenly start crying when he urinates ? Or have you ever felt like he's in pain while urinating ? Have you ever noticed that sometimes the urine doesn't go straight, but instead flows in a strange way? It's normal for a parent to feel a little scared when they see something like this. But don't worry. Today we're going to talk about a condition that many people are unfamiliar with, but is somewhat common among children.

Simply put, what is Meatal Stenosis?

The name may sound a bit complicated, but the meaning is quite simple. Meatal Stenosis is a condition in which the opening at the tip of a man's or boy's penis (which we medically call the meatus) where urine comes out becomes narrower than normal. The word "stenosis" means "narrowing."

This condition can sometimes be congenital, but it is most often seen shortly after a child is born, especially between the ages of 3 and 7 .

This condition is very rare in adult men. When it does occur, it may be caused by surgery on the urethra, the insertion of a device (such as a long-term catheter), or certain skin conditions.

Worldwide, it is estimated that between 8% and 10% of men have Meatal Stenosis.

What exactly are the symptoms of this condition?

The main symptom is that the opening at the tip of the penis appears narrow. This narrowing causes obstruction to the flow of urine . Then you may experience one or more of the symptoms below. Let's look at these in a table.

Why does this situation occur?

The main and most common cause of Meatal Stenosis in young children is circumcision . This condition is very rare in uncircumcised children.

There are several other reasons why this can occur after circumcision:

• Swelling or soreness at the tip of the penis: After circumcision, the tip of the penis rubs directly against the diaper. This friction can cause the delicate skin to swell, become red, and develop small sores. As these sores heal, the opening can sometimes narrow.
• Urine -soaked nappies: Urine contains waste products called uric acid and ammonia. These can accumulate inside the nappy and, if left in contact with the tip of the penis for a long time, damage the delicate skin, causing swelling and narrowing of the opening.
• Prolonged use of urinary catheters: This opening can also become narrow in people who have had a urinary catheter in place for a long time due to a medical condition.
• Other surgeries or tests: This condition can also be caused by surgeries or tests that insert instruments through the urethra.

What can happen if left untreated?

This is a question that many parents have. There are different opinions among doctors about what can happen if Meatal Stenosis is left untreated. Some doctors believe that this condition can lead to the following complications:

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
• Kidney problems
• Involuntary urination

However, some other doctors believe that these complications are not caused by Meatal Stenosis alone. Therefore, they recommend that even if the hole is narrow, surgery is not required if the child is not experiencing any discomfort or complications.

Therefore, if your child has this condition, it is important to talk openly with your doctor about whether or not to treat it, and what will happen if it is not treated, to make the best decision.

How does a doctor recognize this?

A doctor can usually easily tell if a child has this condition by performing a physical examination. During this examination, the doctor will do the following:

• Measuring the width of the hole: However, not everyone has the same size of this hole. Some people may be born with a slightly narrow hole, but it does not necessarily mean that they have Meatal Stenosis.
• Questions about how you urinate : They ask you things like where your urine goes and whether it spills.
• Watching the child urinate : For young children, the doctor can watch the child urinate to determine the nature of the urinary tract (whether it flows straight or dribbling).
• Measuring the speed of the urine stream: Sometimes, a special device can be used to measure the speed of the urine flow.

What are the treatments for this?

Meatal Stenosis does not heal on its own. It needs to be treated. There are several main treatment methods for this.

Meatotomy surgery

This is the best and most successful treatment in most cases . It is not a major surgery. It involves making a small incision and widening the narrowed hole. It is very simple and takes just a few minutes. The chance of this condition recurring after this surgery is very low.

Steroid Cream

In some cases, instead of surgery, your doctor may recommend a topical corticosteroid cream applied to the tip of your penis. This cream may need to be applied twice a day, sometimes for up to three months.

Dilation

Another treatment is to use a special device to widen the hole. However, this method can sometimes tear the skin and cause scarring. This method is not used much anymore because the scar tissue can make the hole even narrower than before.

How long does it take to recover after surgery?

The child will start to feel better within a few days after the meatotomy surgery.

• You can use painkillers prescribed by your doctor to reduce the pain.
• Bathing your baby in lukewarm water (warm baths) greatly reduces pain and discomfort.
• Bleeding usually does not occur. If there is a little bleeding, applying pressure to the area with a clean cloth will stop the bleeding.
• To speed up the healing process, the doctor recommends applying an ointment like Vaseline® or Aquaphor® twice a day for a few weeks.

When should I see a doctor?

If you or your child has any of the symptoms below, be sure to see a doctor.

• If you have difficulty urinating .
• If you are unable to urinate .
• If you feel pain when urinating .

When should you go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU)?

If you develop any of the symptoms below after a meatotomy, go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) as soon as possible.

• If the fever is 38 degrees Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) or higher.
• If there is heavy bleeding that cannot be stopped.
• If the pain is getting worse.
• If you vomit more than three times a day.
• If you have difficulty urinating .
• (If it's a small baby) If the diaper is still dry.

Meatal Stenosis, pain during urination , urinary tract infection, boys, circumcision, meatotomy, penis, urethral stricture