Urinary Retention

Urinary retention is the inability to empty the bladder when you need to. A child may be unable to form a stream or completely empty the bladder. While the condition is not common among children, it may indicate an underlying issue that warrants investigation.

Symptoms of Urinary Retention in Children

Signs that a child is unable to urinate or not emptying their bladder completely may include:

  • A weak stream or dribbling of urine
  • Inability to initiate urination
  • Stomach pain

Programs + Services


Pediatric Urology

The specialists of Tufts Medical Center's Division of Pediatric Urology diagnose and treat the complete range of disorders of the urinary and genital organs. Learn more and request an appointment.
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