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Urethral Stricture and Potty Training

08/10/2009

Question:

My son is having a urethral calibration and dilatation to correct a urethral stricture. When he urinates, his urinary stream arcs upwards. Quite the party trick, but not great for potty training! I have read that strictures can cause some children to not empty their bladder completely. Could this be a contributing factor to our potty training woes?

Answer:

It sounds like he has a mild form of meatal stenosis, in which there is a web on the ventral (downward) side of the penis. This web rarely causes obstructed voiding, but instead typically causes deflection of the urinary stream. I do not think it is a cause of delayed toilet training.

For more information:

Go to the Urinary and Genital Disorders (Children) health topic.