Transitional Urology: An Evolving Paradigm for Care of the Aging Adolescent

Congenital genitourinary anomalies present an interesting challenge to many pediatric urologists. Patients with these conditions require complex care early in life and continued urologic follow-up into adulthood to optimize their function and quality of life. There is a growing awareness that continuity of care beginning in adolescence and progressing through adulthood can have a positive impact on these patients in a number of domains. This may include condition-specific surgical reconstruction, psychosocial development, health economics, and health policy. The process of transitioning care between adolescence and adulthood is evolving as a unique opportunity in urology as congenital genitourinary conditions pose a lifelong challenge for patients, families, caregivers, and health systems. This manuscript highlights the current state of development for this niche as well as future opportunities for education, discovery, and delivery of care for transitional urology.