To void at will : lnvestigation and treatment of children with bladder dysfunction

Abstract: Improvements in diagnostic and treatment procedures have made it possible to obtain a normal kidney function and continence for most children with bladder dysfunction. However, in the daily clinical work further diagnostic and treatments procedures may be required when traditional methods fail to help the child. The aims of the present studies were to evaluate such diagnostic and treatments alternatives.A 4-hours observation test of voiding pattern was evaluated in 50 healthy newborns, as reference values were lacking for this age group. Normal values for voiding frequency, intervals, volume and residual urine were established. All parameters varied greatly both inter- and intraindividually. Residual urine occurred after some voidings in most newborns.At our clinic, children are catheterised without anaesthesia or sedation, following a special concept of preparation. When evaluating this routine most children (93/99) tolerated the procedure well. Five girls and one boy (or their parents) reported the catheterisation to be "very painful", without requiring that the procedure was interrupted.The diagnostic value of the bladder cooling tests (BCT) was evaluated in 108 children with neurogenic bladder dysfunction. The BCT could identify a functional sacral reflex arch in children without voiding contractions or confirm a suspected lower motor neurone lesion. A positive test in children older than 6 years verified the diagnosis neurogenic bladder dysfunction.The effect of anogenital afferent stimulation (AGAS) was retrospectively evaluated in 48 children with therapy resistant urge incontinence. Thirty-eight percent were cured, another 15 % improved. AGAS is a useful, potentially curative treatment in children with severe urge incontinence.Intravesical electrical stimulation (IVES) was offered as alternative treatment to 44 children with bladder emptying problems, 20 of neurogenic origin. Twenty-eight children, 8 with neurogenic problems, had long term normalisation of their voiding and 11/15 children could discontinue clean intermittent catheterisation. IVES seems to be a promising method for treatment of underactive detrusor in children.Conclusions: Some investigative methods aimed at children with suspected bladder dysfunction were evaluated together with two new treatment modalities involving electrical stimulation of afferent nerve fibres. Anogenital or intravesical electrical stimulation represents alternative options for children with urge incontinence or underactive detrusor when standard treatments fail.