Hyderabad, 2025 – A silent yet serious health concern is emerging in Telangana. Thousands of children across the state are struggling with Overactive Bladder (OAB)—a condition marked by sudden and frequent urges to urinate. This disrupts daily life, interferes with schooling, and causes emotional stress in young patients, while also placing an invisible burden on families.
Children with OAB often face psychological challenges such as anxiety, embarrassment, and social withdrawal. For parents, managing the condition means balancing repeated medical consultations, school disruptions, and high treatment expenses. Yet, public awareness of OAB in children remains low, and access to specialized care is limited—particularly in semi-urban and rural areas.
Despite the Telangana government’s continued efforts to improve child health and disability services, experts believe a focused approach toward pediatric bladder disorders is missing from mainstream healthcare delivery. Most government and private facilities are not equipped with pediatric urology specialists, and the stigma around urinary disorders further delays timely diagnosis.
“We are seeing a noticeable rise in pediatric patients with overactive bladder symptoms. These are not just temporary issues—they affect a child’s psychological well-being, school performance, and social development,” says Dr. P. M. Siddalinga Swamy, MBBS, MS, DNB (Urology), Consultant Urologist and Kidney Transplant Surgeon at Shree Veda Multi-Speciality Hospital, Ramachandrapuram, Hyderabad.
“It’s vital to move beyond symptomatic treatment. What we need is structured research into the causes and risk factors for OAB in children, along with the development of long-term, child-friendly treatment strategies.”
There is a clear need for collaborative action among pediatricians, urologists, psychologists, school administrators, and policymakers. Solutions must go beyond individual treatments and aim to create a comprehensive care framework—one that includes early screening, affordable interventions, and community awareness.
Efforts should also focus on integrating education and health systems to ensure that children with chronic bladder issues receive support without stigma or isolation. Public education campaigns can empower families to seek timely help and make informed decisions.
