Clinical Trials and Research

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. Our current clinical trials at Lucile Packard Pediatric Urology is listed below.

Current clinical trials

Improving treatment strategies for bladder problems in kids

Daytime accidents! Nighttime accidents! Rushing to the bathroom! Pain with peeing! Recurrent urine infections!

Bladder problems, also known as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), refer to a set of conditions involving the abnormal filling and emptying of the bladder. This can show up as bothersome daytime and nighttime pee accidents, sudden uncontrollable urge to urinate or pain with peeing, just to name a few symptoms. For some children, this is a short-term condition that can resolve on its own. For others, it is a persistent issue that causes disruption to home and school life.

Treatment of LUTS is termed as urotherapy. The focus of treatment is education on the behavioral and lifestyle modifications needed to achieve healthy bladder habits. It is non-invasive - no surgery or medication is involved in first line therapy. Most children get better with urotherapy alone though some require additional treatment such as occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, pediatric gastroenterology, or neurology, in order to see improvement.

Dr. Kathleen Kan’s research team is actively studying innovative and interactive solutions to delivery urotherapy to families earlier, faster and with more fun! The goal is to improve access to health education on healthy bladder habits and offer families additional support in their journey towards a happier bladder.

Learn more about our lower urinary tract symptoms research >

Hydronephrosis

Hydronephrosis is ‘swelling’ of the kidney due to a back-up of urine. This can be caused by a blockage in the ureter, which is the tube that drains the kidney, by vesicoureteral reflux, or many other causes. Sometimes the hydronephrosis goes away on its own, but sometimes the hydronephrosis persists and could potentially lead to kidney damage due to pressure on the kidney.

Some children with certain types of hydronephrosis, such as that caused by ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJ obstruction), undergo surgery to prevent kidney damage. However not every child with UPJ obstruction will need to have surgery.

Learn more about our hydronephrosis research >