Pediatric urology literature watch

A list of new pediatric urology papers and guidelines, updated every month with a focus on the Journal of Pediatric Urology. Each item has a summary in our own words, why it may matter in practice, the main limitation and a link to the primary source.

Last checked 2 Nov 2026

November 2026

GuidelineEuropean Association of Urology2026 edition
EAU Guidelines on Paediatric Urology 2026
EAU Paediatric Urology Guidelines Panel
The 2026 edition of the EAU Paediatric Urology Guidelines updates the literature across the document. Chapters with changes are urinary tract infections in children, monosymptomatic enuresis, dilatation of the upper urinary tract (PUJ obstruction), and ureterocele and ectopic ureter. Papillary bladder tumours in children and adolescents and rare penile conditions are also updated, and there is a new section on fetal urology.
Why it may matter. Worth checking the revised UTI, enuresis, PUJ obstruction and ureterocele chapters against your local protocols, and the new fetal urology section for antenatal counselling.
Keep in mind. Based on the guideline introduction, which lists the changed chapters but not the individual recommendation changes. Read the full chapters before changing practice.
GuidelinesKidney and ureterVoiding and infection

October 2026

Uncontrolled prospective cohortJournal of Pediatric Urology30 Oct 2026
Postoperative Changes in Primary Monosymptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis Following Adenoidectomy or Adenotonsillectomy in Children with Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy and Sleep-Disordered Breathing: A Prospective Cohort Study
Cetin B et al.
In 140 children aged 5 to 11 years with primary monosymptomatic enuresis who had adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy for airway indications, wet nights per week fell from a median of 3 to 0 at 3 months, and daytime sleepiness scores fell as well. Complete response (no wet nights) occurred in 52.9%, partial response in 30.0% and no benefit in 17.1%. More wet nights at baseline lowered the odds of complete response, while age and type of surgery did not.
Why it may matter. For a child with enuresis who also has snoring or sleep-disordered breathing, an ENT assessment may be worth considering alongside standard enuresis treatment.
Keep in mind. No control group, so spontaneous remission and regression to the mean cannot be excluded. Sleep-disordered breathing was diagnosed clinically without polysomnography, and follow-up was only 3 months.
Voiding and infection
Retrospective matched cohortUrology29 Oct 2026
Kidney Transplant Outcomes in Prune Belly Syndrome: A Retrospective Analysis of UNOS Data
Price M et al. · DOI 10.1016/j.urology.2026.10.029
Using the UNOS registry, 269 first kidney transplant recipients with prune belly syndrome (2010 to 2024) were matched 1:4 with 1,076 controls. Death-censored graft survival at 10 years was 69.8% versus 75.4% (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.69), and 10-year patient survival was 94.3% versus 92.8% (HR 1.38, 95% CI 0.65 to 2.96). Neither difference was statistically significant, and results were consistent across age, era and donor type.
Why it may matter. Supports assessing prune belly syndrome candidates for transplant on the same basis as other children and young adults.
Keep in mind. Wide confidence intervals do not exclude a modest difference. Registry data cannot capture bladder function or anatomy in detail.
Transplant and transitionBladder and reconstruction
Narrative reviewThe Journal of Urology28 Oct 2026
Undescended Testes in Medically Complex Children: Evaluating A Common Urologic Condition Through a Multi-Disciplinary Lens
Chan YY et al. · DOI 10.1097/JU.0000000000005366
Specialists from anesthesia, endocrinology, genetics, oncology, urology and developmental pediatrics, with a bioethicist, reviewed whether the usual advice to perform orchiopexy before 18 months fits boys with conditions such as Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, cerebral palsy or Fragile X syndrome. The standard timing comes from otherwise healthy boys, anesthetic and surgical risk may be higher in this group, and the fertility benefit may be smaller. The authors argue for an individual, team-based decision to operate, defer or decline, with the family involved and long-term quality of life in view.
Why it may matter. A useful frame for counselling when the child has significant comorbidity and the benefit of surgery is uncertain.
Keep in mind. Narrative review without pooled data. The authors themselves note the lack of data-driven guidelines for this group.
Testis and groin
Population-based surveillance studyJournal of Pediatric Urology28 Oct 2026
Prevalence Trend Analysis in Hypospadias by Degree of Severity from 2000-2019
Shan X et al.
Using Arkansas birth defects surveillance data combined with a clinical database, the authors classified hypospadias as first, second or third degree. Overall prevalence was 87.5 per 10,000 male live births and rose from 64.8 to 98.9 per 10,000 between 2000 and 2019 (annual change 1.87%). All degrees increased, with second and third degree cases rising faster than first degree.
Why it may matter. Suggests the rise is not only better detection of mild cases, which supports continued research into risk factors for severe hypospadias.
Keep in mind. One U.S. state. The authors say part of the rise in mild cases is likely detection, and the cause of the faster rise in severe cases is not established.
Genitals
Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTsJournal of Pediatric Urology23 Oct 2026
After the Shockwave: Alpha-1 Adrenergic Blockers as Adjunctive Therapy for Pediatric Urinary Stones: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Qasem SMS et al.
Four randomized trials with 408 children compared silodosin or tamsulosin with placebo or observation after primary shock wave lithotripsy. The blockers improved single-session stone-free rate (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.29) and shortened stone expulsion by about 2.4 days, and pain scores and analgesic use were lower. The 32% drop in auxiliary procedures was not significant (RR 0.68, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.11). Drug-related adverse events were more frequent but mild and self-limiting.
Why it may matter. Adds pediatric evidence for a measure already endorsed in adults after SWL, though it is still early to treat it as standard.
Keep in mind. Only four small trials, and the authors advise caution and larger multicenter trials before guideline-level protocols. Benefit assumes adequate stone fragmentation.
Kidney and ureter
Retrospective cohortJournal of Pediatric Urology7 Oct 2026
Renal parenchymal thickness measurements on initial sonogram are associated with spontaneous resolution of isolated SFU grade 3 hydronephrosis
Staniorski C et al.
In 107 children with antenatally detected isolated SFU grade 3 hydronephrosis (no hydroureter) and at least two sonograms, 27% resolved to grade 0 to 1 and a further 21% improved to grade 2 before age 5. On the first scan, each extra millimetre of minimal parenchymal thickness raised the odds of resolution by 33% (aOR 1.33, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.71) and of improvement by 26%, independent of renal pelvis diameter. Median time to resolution was 1.6 years.
Why it may matter. A simple, measurable ultrasound finding that may help counsel families on the chance that a grade 3 kidney settles without surgery.
Keep in mind. Single institution, retrospective, 107 children, children born 2000 to 2016. Not a substitute for functional assessment where drainage is in doubt.
Kidney and ureter

September 2026

Retrospective comparisonNeurourology and Urodynamics29 Sept 2026
Is Temporary Incontinent Vesicostomy Associated With Fewer Early Urinary Outflow-Related Complications After Pediatric Ileocystoplasty?
Nikolaev VV et al. · DOI 10.1002/nau.70450
In 168 children with ileal bladder augmentation and a catheterizable continent stoma, 133 had a temporary incontinent vesicostomy and 35 did not. Outflow-related complications within 6 months occurred in 2.3% versus 28.6% (p < 0.001), and emergency readmission within 180 days in 3.0% versus 22.9%. At 24 months, daytime continence, bladder capacity (424 versus 406 mL) and compliance did not differ significantly.
Why it may matter. A low-cost step that may cut early leaks, channel obstruction and infection, particularly after bladder neck closure or where specialist care may be delayed.
Keep in mind. Single-center, non-randomized, with unequal groups spanning 2000 to 2023. The authors call for prospective work on selection and timing of closure.
Bladder and reconstruction
GuidelinePediatrics28 Sept 2026
Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection in Children From 8 Days to 5 Years of Age
American Academy of Pediatrics
This is the first update of the AAP urinary tract infection guideline since 2011. It now covers children from 8 days to 5 years, no longer uses race as a risk factor, and asks clinicians to combine symptoms, urinalysis, culture thresholds and judgment when diagnosing. Most children are advised to receive antibiotic courses of seven days or fewer, with longer courses kept for young infants, high-risk cases or a slow response. Constipation and bladder and bowel dysfunction receive more attention as drivers of recurrent infection, and referral advice for primary care is clearer.
Why it may matter. Shorter courses and a stronger link to bladder and bowel dysfunction fit what many pediatric urology clinics already see in recurrent infection. Worth checking local referral pathways against the new wording.
Keep in mind. Summarized from the AAP announcement. Read the full guideline and its technical reports for imaging and thresholds before changing practice.
Voiding and infectionGuidelines

August 2026

Retrospective matched seriesPediatric Surgery International24 Aug 2026
Pyeloplasty outcomes in children with complex anatomy: an observational series of reconstruction in concurrent ureterovesical obstruction, duplex, malrotated or ectopic moieties and horseshoe kidneys
Fields E et al. · DOI 10.1007/s00383-026-06596-z
Fifty-nine children with UPJ obstruction and a complex renal anomaly (ectopic, duplex, malrotated or horseshoe kidney, or concurrent UVJ obstruction) were matched with 177 controls. Operating time was longer (median 159 versus 135 minutes), but redo pyeloplasty rates were similar (5.1% versus 6.8%) and ultrasound improvement was alike. Emergency department visits were more frequent in the complex group (27.1% versus 15.8%, borderline).
Why it may matter. Reassurance that anatomical complexity alone need not raise failure rates, with a reminder to plan follow-up imaging carefully.
Keep in mind. Single institution, small complex group, retrospective design.
Kidney and ureter
Prospective cohortJAMA Pediatrics3 Aug 2026
Neonatal Medical Male Circumcision and Child Autism Diagnosis
McGrath M et al. · DOI 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2026.3239
In 2,771 boys from 14 ECHO Cohort sites, 66% had a neonatal medical circumcision and 7% had an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis (6% of circumcised versus 9% of uncircumcised boys). The unadjusted odds ratio was 0.63, but after adjustment it was 0.83 (95% CI 0.59 to 1.17), which is not significant. Autism trait scores (SRS-2 and CBCL) also did not differ. The authors found no evidence that neonatal circumcision raises autism risk.
Why it may matter. A data-based answer for parents who have heard that circumcision, or the analgesia around it, may be linked to autism.
Keep in mind. Observational, with possible residual confounding. Autism diagnosis was mostly parent-reported, and several subgroups are small with wide intervals. The study cannot show that circumcision protects against autism.
Genitals

June 2026

Reverse systematic review (bibliometric)Journal of Pediatric Urology30 Jun 2026
Temporal evolution of minimally invasive pediatric urolithiasis treatment over 30 years
Costa de Salles L et al. · DOI 10.1016/j.jpurol.2026.106130
The authors searched five databases for systematic reviews of surgical treatment of pediatric stones and traced the original studies they cited: 123 publications, 197 reports and 15,878 procedures. Miniaturized percutaneous techniques and flexible ureteroscopy rose over time, while publications on shock wave lithotripsy declined, even though recent series report good results.
Why it may matter. Shows how the evidence base is shifting toward endoscopic techniques. A reminder that fewer publications on ESWL is not the same as poorer outcomes when choosing treatment for an individual child.
Keep in mind. A bibliometric analysis of published literature, so it reflects what gets published, not necessarily what works best. Published in the October 2026 issue (vol 22, issue 5).
Kidney and ureter

May 2026

Consensus (modified Delphi)Journal of Pediatric Urology16 May 2026
Establishing a clinician-prioritized pediatric urology clinical research agenda in the United States
Corona LE et al. · DOI 10.1016/j.jpurol.2026.106024
Pediatric urology research is mostly single-center and retrospective. In this three-phase process, 88 U.S. pediatric urologists submitted 256 questions, merged into 64, narrowed by three Delphi rounds to 10 and finally to 6 priorities endorsed at a consensus workshop.
Why it may matter. Useful when planning multicenter projects, registries or grant applications, and for seeing where the field itself says evidence is thin.
Keep in mind. U.S. clinicians only. The authors note that patient and caregiver views still need to be added.
Guidelines

How this list is made

The list is updated monthly. Items come mainly from the Journal of Pediatric Urology, plus other peer-reviewed journals and society guidelines (for example EAU, ESPU, AUA and AAP). Each source is opened and read before it is added. Summaries are written from the published abstract and are not a substitute for reading the paper. Observational findings show association, not cause.

For learning modules based on current guidelines, see pediatric urology for doctors.

Materials are for medical professionals. The treating physician decides about an individual patient.