Also known as: neurogenic bladder dysfunction.
What is neurogenic bladder?
Neurogenic bladder means the bladder of a baby/child doesn't empty properly because of problems with the brain, spinal cord or nerves that control bladder function, essentially paralyzing it.
What causes neurogenic bladder?
In babies/children a neurogenic bladder typically results from either a birth defect or from damage occurring later in childhood. Common causes include Spina bifida (a congenital abnormality of the spinal cord), spinal injury (for example from a motor vehicle accident) or from central nervous system or pelvic tumors.
What are the symptoms of neurogenic bladder?
Symptoms generally include, urinary incontinence -urine leakage (dribbling of urine), loss of sensation of a full bladder with difficulty releasing urine, a need to urinate frequently, and passing small urine volumes during voiding. Symptoms may also include those of a urinary tract infection or kidney stones.
What are neurogenic bladder care options?
While there is no cure for a neurogenic bladder, multiple treatment options include:
“Timed urination” to prevent voiding accidents and protect the kidneys
Inserting a thin tube (catheter), intermittently or permanently (indwelling catheter) into the bladder to empty it.
Medications to help relax the bladder
Antibiotics to reduce the chance, or treat a urinary tract infection, insertion of an artificial cuff in the bladder to prevent leakage, and sometimes surgery (your pediatric surgeon at Nicklaus Children Hospital will discuss with you the various options available).
Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP
This page was last updated on: 6/21/2019 2:24:41 AM