Urinary Obstruction in Children
A urinary obstruction refers to anything that blocks, slows, or
disrupts the normal flow of urine through the
urinary tract. Obstructions can occur at any point in
the urinary tract 
. They can be present at birth
(congenital) or develop later.
Causes of urinary obstructions in children include:
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome in Children
Superior vena cava syndrome in a child is a serious medical emergency because the child's windpipe can become blocked. Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) in children can be life-threatening. This is because the trachea (windpipe) can quickly become blocked. In adults, the windpipe is fairly stiff, but in children, it is softer and can more easily be squeezed shut. Also, a child's windpipe is narrower, so any amount of swelling can cause breathing problems. Squeezing of the trachea is called superior...
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- Kidney stones. Kidney stones are caused by the buildup of minerals in the kidneys.
- An abnormality of the point where the ureter joins the kidney.
- A sagging or bulging of the ureter into the bladder, called a ureterocele.
- An abnormality in which the ureter opens into an area other than the bladder. The ureter may open into the urethra or the vagina in girls or the vas deferens in boys.
- Misplaced, narrowed, or widened ureters or urethra.
Urinary obstructions disrupt normal urine flow and allow bacteria to grow in the urinary tract. This increases the risk of bladder and kidney infections.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
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