Lower urinary tract dysfunction in cerebral palsy

The clinical features and management of 27 children with cerebral palsy referred with symptoms of lower urinary tract dysfunction were reviewed. The mean age at referral was 9.9 years. Daytime urinary incontinence was the commonest presenting symptom. Videourodynamic studies were abnormal in 23 patients (85%). Only two children had evidence of upper renal tract damage. Treatment was determined by urodynamic findings, and led to improvement in symptoms in all patients for whom there was follow up information. Urinary incontinence may be improved or cured in children with cerebral palsy. These children would therefore benefit from early referral for assessment and treatment.     

Relationship of bladder dysfunction with upper urinary tract deterioration in cerebral palsy

Although lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) in patients with cerebral palsy (CP) has been previously documented by clinical observations and urodynamic tests, its correlation with upper urinary tract deterioration (UUTD) has not been demonstrated. This paper documents symptoms and urodynamic findings of LUTD and their relationship with UUTD in 33 children with CP. By sonography, 4 of these children were found to have UUTD. Age was found to correlate with UUTD, but gender difference and mental or motor functions did not. When comparing urinary symptoms with UUTD, incontinence (n = 31) did not correlate, but on the other hand symptoms of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (interrupted voiding, urinary retention, hesitancy; n = 5) and culture proven febrile urinary tract infections (n = 4) did. Abnormal urodynamics findings were not diagnostic. We conclude that, apart from incontinence, dysfunctional voiding symptoms and febrile urinary tract infections are valuable indicators of UUTD.     

《国际专家建议：需立即转诊进行脑性瘫痪诊断评估的临床特征》解读

近年来在国家政策的引导和支持下,社区医疗体系得到空前发展,其中,初级儿童保健在社区医院常规开展,大大缓解了儿童专科医院及二三级综合医院儿科的压力。但由于社区医疗机构儿童初级保健人员未接受专业培训,对脑性瘫痪（简称脑瘫）儿童早期出现的症状不能识别,常导致脑瘫患儿不能得到及早诊断和有效干预,从而影响预后。2020年在Development Medicine and Child Neurology发表的一篇专门针对社区医疗机构的早期脑瘫识别和转诊的国际专家建议,明确提出了应立即转诊的6个临床特征和应加强监测的2个“警告信号”,以及在转介给医学专家进行脑瘫诊断的同时,应考虑转介给其他专业人员的5个转诊建议。该建议有助于社区医疗机构儿童初级保健人员及早发现脑瘫高危儿,及时转诊并减少干预的延迟。该文结合国内的实际情况对该建议进行解读,以期提高我国社区医疗机构儿童初级保健人员识别脑瘫高危信号及合理转诊的能力,达到早发现、早诊断、早干预,改善脑瘫儿童预后。     

Management of daytime urinary incontinence and lower urinary tract symptoms in children

Lower urinary tract symptoms, particularly urgency, frequency and incontinence are common in school-aged children but are often overlooked. They may cause considerable physical, social and psychological difficulties to children and their families, and usually are manifestations of underlying non-neurogenic voiding disorders. The differential diagnoses include overactive bladder syndrome, dysfunctional voiding and vaginal reflux as well as less common conditions like giggle incontinence, voiding postponement, pollakiuria and diabetes insipidus. In this paper, we discuss an evidence-based approach to the management of conditions causing daytime urinary incontinence and lower urinary tract symptoms in children from a general paediatrician's perspective.     

Outcome of overactive bladder in children

One hundred forty-four children with a clinical diagnosis of overactive bladder were observed for a mean of 3.15 +/- 1.92 years. Initial management consisted of a behavioral modification program that included increased fluid intake, a timed voiding schedule and, if applicable, treatment of constipation. Those who failed to improve with the preceding intervention within 10 days to 2 weeks received an anticholinergic medication. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone. Caretakers and/or patients were asked a standard set of questions. The outcome with respect to urinary urgency, urinary frequency, daytime incontinence, posturing and urinary tract infections was recorded. After an average follow-up period of 3 years, 68 (47.2%) of the 144 children recovered from all symptoms of overactive bladder and 61 (42.4%) had decreased symptoms. Fifteen of the children, or 10.4%, still had all of the symptoms originally associated with overactive bladder. Children who had posturing as one of their symptoms had a significantly increased risk of urinary tract infection.     

Urethral length in girls with lower urinary tract symptoms and forme fruste of female epispadias

PurposeTo investigate systematically the length of the urethra in girls with lower urinary tract symptoms.Materials and methodsIn a group of 121 consecutive girls presented at a tertiary referral clinic for urinary incontinence or recurrent urinary tract infections, urethral length was measured by perineal ultrasound. The urethra was measured with the patient in supine position without anesthesia. Mean age of the patients was 7.8 (0–15) years.ResultsAverage urethral length was 26 mm. Minimum length was 12 mm, measured in a 5-year-old girl with dribbling incontinence. Maximum measured length was 40 mm in a 15-year-old girl. In four girls (3.3%), aged 1–10 years (mean 6.3), a short urethra was detected, with measured lengths of 12 and 14 mm. All four had normal genitalia, and were referred with therapy-resistant urinary incontinence or urinary tract infections. A gradual increase in average urethral length was measured from 23 mm at birth to 32 mm at 15 years.ConclusionUrethral length can be measured accurately by ultrasound. Although a short urethral length is rarely detected by ultrasound in girls with incontinence, it may be associated with therapy-resistant incontinence. In such cases, different treatment options are available.     

早产儿脑性瘫痪婴儿期症状临床流行病学研究

目的：了解小儿脑性瘫痪婴儿期症状,为儿科医生、儿保医生提供脑瘫的早期筛查、早期诊断线索。方法：对江苏省7县市1～6岁4167例早产儿脑瘫患病率、脑瘫婴儿期症状进行调查,由受过统一培训的儿科医生、儿保医生完成。结果：早产儿脑瘫患病率为 32.9‰,胎龄小于32周的早产儿脑 瘫患病率为34～37周早产儿的3.6倍。脑瘫症状婴儿期的检出率在30%～62%之间,特异度在99.4%以上,准确度在97.2%以上。阳性预测值在80%以上,阴性预测值在97.5%以上。结论：脑瘫婴儿期症状为早产儿脑瘫的早期诊断提供了依据,适用于脑瘫的早期筛查和早期诊断。     

小儿遗尿与膀胱输尿管反流的相关性研究

目的 探讨小儿遗尿与膀胱输尿管反流(vesicoureteral reflux,VUR)的关系,筛选小儿VUR的高危因素为临床诊治提供依据.方法 选取郑州大学第一附属医院小儿尿动力学中心以遗尿为主诉就诊并且神经功能正常的儿童和青少年83例(男36例,女47例),年龄5～16岁,平均(9.42±3.21)岁.所有患儿进行排尿性膀胱尿道造影(VCUG)检查以评估VUR情况,并进行尿常规、尿培养、肾脏和膀胱超声检查.尿动力学检查包括尿流率、盆地肌电图和膀胱压力容积测定.泌尿系检查的准入标准包括泌尿系超声异常、白天尿失禁、尿动力学检查异常、尿路感染或者同胞兄妹中有VUR病史等.结果 48例(57.8％)出现单症状性夜遗尿(MNE),35例(42.2％)非单症状性夜遗尿(NMNE).13例(15.7％)出现VUR.t检验结果显示,白天尿失禁患儿、女性患儿和当前伴有尿路感染的患儿VUR发病率明显升高(P＜0.05);多自变量logistic回归分析结果显示,只有性别、白天尿失禁和当前尿尿路感染的回归系数检验有统计学意义(P＜0.05),VUR与患儿年龄、遗尿类型(原发性、继发性)、遗尿频率、有无遗尿家族史、尿路感染病史、有无排便异常和除白天尿失禁外的白天尿路症状无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 VUR明显常见于白天尿失禁的遗尿患儿,建议存在白天尿失禁的遗尿患儿进一步进行相关检查.当前尿路感染是遗尿患儿发生VUR的高危因素.     

Idiopathic hypercalciuria: presentation of 471 cases

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical history and evolution of children and adolescents with IH, emphasizing some of their peculiar features. METHODS: We followed 471 patients with IH at an outpatient clinic. Patients were submitted to the following protocol: abdominal X-ray, kidney and urinary tract ultrasonography; urinary ionogram, blood gas and biochemical analyses; 24-hour urine for measurement of calcium and other electrolytes and creatinine; urinalysis, urine culture and phase-contrast microscopy; second morning urine collected after fasting for measurement of calcium and creatinine. RESULTS: At the time of diagnosis, 6% of the patients were infants, 15% pre-school children, 55% school children, and 24% adolescents; 56% of them were boys. Clinical and laboratory findings were: 47% had hematuria and abdominal pain, 31% had isolated hematuria, 14% isolated abdominal pain, and 8% had urinary tract infection, nocturnal enuresis, suprapubic pain or urethralgia, or the frequency/urgency syndrome with urinary incontinence. Hypercalciuria was associated with urolithiasis in 56% of patients. There was association with hyperuricosuria in 18.5% of the cases, and hypocitraturia in 8.5% of the cases. Evolution was poor for 33% of the patients, with recurrence of nephrolithiasis, persistence of hematuria, and abdominal pain. CONCLUSIONS: IH must be diagnosed and treated with criteria in order to reduce consequences such as hematuria, abdominal pain, urinary stone formation and possible bone involvement. Signs and symptoms such as urgency and urinary incontinence, suprapubic pain and nocturnal enuresis may result from renal hyperexcretion of calcium.     

Uroflowmetry in the management of lower urinary tract symptoms of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy

ObjectiveTo evaluate uroflow measurements in the initial management of lower urinary tract dysfunction in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy.Materials and methodsA total of 54 patients was enrolled in this study. All patients reported their urinary symptoms and underwent a physical examination, renal and urinary tract ultrasonography, and uroflow assessment.ResultsTwenty-three patients were female. Mean age was 9 years and 6 months (SD: 2 years and 10 months), with a range of 5–18 years. Twenty-eight of the patients (51.8%) were symptomatic. Urgency (42.6%), urge incontinence (40.7%), and enuresis (16.7%) were the most frequently observed symptoms. No association was found between gender, ambulatory status, or distribution of the paralysis and uroflow parameters. Symptomatic patients presented a statistically lower maximum flow (Q_max) than asymptomatic patients (17.2 ± 7.8 ml/s vs 22.6 ± 7.5 ml/s, p = 0.013, respectively). Normal bell-shaped curves were observed more frequently in asymptomatic patients, while abnormal curves were observed more frequently in symptomatic patients (p = 0.022).ConclusionsGender, ambulatory status, and the distribution of the paralysis do not affect Q_max rate or flow pattern. Symptomatic patients present lower Q_max and may also have an abnormal uroflow curve. Uroflowmetry may be useful in the initial urological evaluation.     

Urge incontinence and voiding postponement in children: somatic and psychosocial factors

AIM: To analyse the number of urinary tract infections, uroflowmetry, behavioural symptoms and intrafamilial interaction in two groups of daytime wetting children in a paediatric and a child psychiatric unit. METHODS: Ninety-four children with either voiding postponement (52) or urge incontinence (42) were examined prospectively for history of urinary tract infections (UTIs), uroflowmetry, the syndrome scales of the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL 4/18-Achenbach) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES-III) (Olson) questionnaire. RESULTS: Children with urge incontinence had a significantly higher rate of previous urinary tract infections (50%) than children with voiding postponement (19.2%; p < 0.001), who showed a high rate of plateau (12.2%) and staccato (20.4%) curves and were characterized by a wide variety of behavioural symptoms, including withdrawn (11.6%), aggressive (11.8%), delinquent (19.6%) behaviour and attention problems (13.7%). Clinically relevant behavioural scores were 4-10 times higher for the voiding postponers, and 2-3 times higher for children with urge incontinence. Furthermore, families of voiding postponers had significantly fewer balanced types of intrafamilial function (FACES-III). Problematic "rigid/disengaged" and "rigid/separated" types predominated. CONCLUSION: Urge incontinence is characterized by a higher rate of UTIs, a lower urine volume in uroflowmetry, a lower rate of behavioural scores in the clinical range and well-functioning families. Voiding postponement children, on the other hand, have a higher, though not significant, rate of abnormal uroflow curves, a wide variety of clinically relevant behavioural symptoms, which were significantly higher for attention and delinquent problems. Conduct problems predominated; only 13.7% of the children had attention problems in the clinical range. The findings lend empirical support to the entity of voiding postponement as an acquired or behavioural syndrome characterized by wetting in association with a delay of micturition and other externalizing conduct problems.     

Micturition habits and incontinence in 7-year-old Swedish school entrants

The prevalence of incontinence in children has been extensively studied, but knowledge of other bladder symptoms is lacking in a healthy child population. The micturition habits of 3556 7-year-old school entrants were surveyed by a questionnaire supplemented by telephone interviews. One or more symptoms of a disturbed bladder function was reported in 26%, but most of these had moderate urgency as a sign of incomplete voluntary bladder control. Isolated bedwetting occurred in 2.8% of the girls and 7.0% of the boys, whereas nocturnal incontinence combined with daytime wetting was equally common in both sexes, 2.3% and 2.0% respectively. Diurnal incontinence was reported in 6.0% of the girls and 3.8% of the boys and was usually combined with other symptoms. The frequency of micturition in children without symptoms of bladder disturbance and with no previous urinary tract infection was 3–7 times per day.     

Intermittent catheterisation for neuropathic urinary incontinence.

Eighty six children with neuropathic urinary incontinence who had been treated by clean intermittent catheterisation for more than five years were reviewed. Eighty five had congenital lesions, and one traumatic paraplegia. During the day, 72 (84%) patients were dry or had minor stress incontinence only, 11 were damp but controlled with pads, and only three were continuously wet. Eleven abandoned clean intermittent catheterisation, five because of poor control, four by choice despite good control, and only two because of deterioration of upper urinary tract disease. Most of them usually had bacteriuria, but only 32 developed occasional symptomatic infections. Urinary calculi occurred in six, epididymitis in three, and urethral problems in four. Upper urinary tract dilatation did not arise in a previously normal renal system in any patient during clean intermittent catheterisation. Clean intermittent catheterisation was successful in controlling wetting with few serious complications, and was well tolerated. It remains the method of choice for the management of neuropathic urinary incontinence in such children.     

Posterior urethral diverticula: a complication of surgery for high anorectal malformations

We describe five boys, all of whom presented with urinary tract infection or acquired urinary incontinence some years after surgery for a high anorectal malformation (ARM). All were found to have a posterior urethral diverticulum thought to represent the remains of the original rectourethral fistula accompanying the high rectal atresia. Excision of the diverticula resulted in complete relief of symptoms. The clinical features and radiological appearances of the diverticula are described. A urethral diverticulum is one treatable cause of urinary symptoms in children with high anorectal malformations, and should be considered when symptoms recur late after definitive surgical correction of the malformation.     

The bladder of willful infrequent voiders: Underactive or underutilized?

ObjectiveWe previously described a lower urinary tract (LUT) condition (detrusor underutilization disorder, DUD) characterized by chronic or episodic willful deferment of voiding resulting in an expanded capacity in patients with LUT symptoms. We now further characterize these DUD patients.Materials and methodsWe reviewed our database identifying neurologically/anatomically normal children diagnosed with DUD. Bladder capacity had to be at least >125% EBC for age to be included. LUTS, diaries and uroflow/EMG findings were analyzed.ResultsFifty-five children (mean age 10.5 years, range 3.7–20.2; 34F, 19M) with LUTS were diagnosed with DUD. The most common reasons for presentation included incontinence (43.6%), history of urinary tract infection (UTI) (49.1%), and urgency (30.9%). Mean percent estimated bladder capacity for age was 1.67 and following treatment mean %EBC decreased to 1.10.ConclusionsDUD patients typically present with infrequent voiding, incontinence, urgency, and UTIs. They have less bowel dysfunction and frequency, and larger bladder capacities than typically found in children with overactive bladder and dysfunctional voiding. Although the symptoms associated with DUD overlap in part with those considered by the International Children's Continence Society to be typical for “underactive bladder” and “voiding postponement”, DUD, we feel, is a stand-alone diagnosis.     

Scintigraphy evaluation of the types of functional constipation in children with bowel bladder dysfunction

PurposeTo evaluate the types of constipation according to colonic transit time in chronically constipated children with dysfunctional voiding (bowel bladder dysfunction, BBD group) and to compare the results with transit type in children with chronic functional constipation without urinary symptoms (constipation group) and children with normal bowel habits, but with lower urinary tract symptoms (control group).Patients and methodsOne-hundred and one children were included and their medical histories were obtained. The BBD group kept a voiding diary, and underwent urinalyses and urine culture, ultrasound examination of bladder and kidneys and uroflowmetry with pelvic floor electromyography. Radionuclear transit scintigraphy was performed in all children according to a standardized protocol. Patients were categorized as having either slow-transit (ST), functional fecal retention (FFR) or normal transit.ResultsFFR was diagnosed in 31 out of 38 children with BBD, and 34 out of 43 children in the constipation group. ST was found in seven children with BBD, compared with nine children in the constipation group. The control group children demonstrated normal colonic transit. Urgency, daily urinary incontinence and nocturnal enuresis were noted only in children with FFR. Both children with ST constipation and FFR complained of difficulties during voiding, voiding postponement and urinary tract infections.ConclusionsFFR is the most common form of constipation in children with dysfunctional voiding. However, some children might suffer from ST constipation. Differentiation between these two types of constipation is clinically significant because they require different treatment. Future studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to confirm the noted differences in urological symptoms in these two groups of constipated children..     

Psychological problems in children with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional European study

Objectives: To describe psychological symptoms in 8–12‐year‐old children with cerebral palsy; to investigate predictors of these symptoms and their impact on the child and family. Design: A cross‐sectional multi‐centre survey. Participants: Eight hundred and eighteen children with cerebral palsy, aged 8–12 years, identified from population‐based registers of cerebral palsy in eight European regions and from multiple sources in one further region. Main outcome measures: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)^P4?16 and the Total Difficulties Score (TDS) dichotomised into normal/borderline (TDS ≤ 16) versus abnormal (TDS > 16). Statistical analysis: Multilevel, multivariable logistic regression to relate the presence of psychological symptoms to child and family characteristics. Results: About a quarter of the children had TDS > 16 indicating significant psychological symptoms, most commonly in the domain Peer Problems. Better gross motor function, poorer intellect, more pain, having a disabled or ill sibling and living in a town were independently associated with TDS > 16. The risk of TDS > 16 was odds ratio (OR) = .2 (95% CI: .1 to .3) comparing children with the most and least severe functional limitations; OR = 3.2 (95%CI: 2.1 to 4.8) comparing children with IQ < 70 and others; OR = 2.7 (95% CI: 1.5 to 4.6) comparing children in severe pain and others; OR = 2.7 (95% CI:1.6 to 4.6) comparing children with another disabled sibling or OR = 1.8 (95%CI: 1.2 to 2.8) no siblings and others; OR = 1.8 (95% CI: 1.1 to 2.8) comparing children resident in a town and others. Among parents who reported their child to have psychological problems, 95% said they had lasted over a year, 37% said they distressed their child and 42% said they burdened the family at least ‘quite a lot’. Conclusions: A significant proportion of children with cerebral palsy have psychological symptoms or social impairment sufficiently severe to warrant referral to specialist services. Care must be taken in the assessment and management of children with cerebral palsy to ensure psychological problems are not overlooked and potentially preventable risk factors like pain are treated effectively. The validity of the SDQ for children with severe disability warrants further assessment.     

Functional bladder problems in children: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment

Functional lower urinary tract problems, bladder and bowel problems, or dysfunctional elimination syndrome are all terms that describe the common array of symptoms that include overactive bladder syndrome, voiding postponement, stress incontinence, giggle incontinence, and dysfunctional voiding in children. This article discusses the nomenclature and looks at the pathophysiology of functional bladder disorders from a different perspective than has been the norm in the past. Some standard medical treatments as well as some newer forms of treatment are outlined. Treatment algorithms for urinary frequency and urinary incontinence have been created to help the practitioner manage the patient.     

Myelopathy due to intrathecal chemotherapy: report of six cases

Intrathecal chemotherapy and systemic chemotherapy are used for both prophylaxis and treatment of central nervous system disease in hematologic malignancies. However, intrathecal treatment has some adverse effects, such as arachnoiditis, progressive myelopathy, and leukoencephalopathy. The authors describe six children in whom myelopathy and adhesive arachnoiditis developed after administration of intrathecal chemotherapy including methotrexate, cytosine arabinoside, and prednisolone. Urinary retention and incontinence, the main presenting complaints in all patients, developed within 12 hours after intrathecal therapy and spontaneously resolved within 7 days. Two patients were unable to walk. In these two, weakness in the lower extremities gradually recovered by 1 month but urinary incontinence did not improve. None of the children had sensory loss. On follow-up periodic recurrent urinary tract infection was noted in four patients. MRI findings corresponded to arachnoiditis. No response was recorded on tibial nerve somatosensory evoked potentials in all patients. Intrathecal chemotherapy, especially methotrexate, can cause spinal cord dysfunction in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Arachnoiditis should be kept in mind as a causative factor in recurrent urinary tract infection in patients receiving intrathecal chemotherapy.     

Evaluation of voiding dysfunctions in children with chronic functional constipation

There are controversial results about the role of dysfunctional bowel emptying in disorders of the urinary tract like urinary tract infection (UTI), vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and enuresis. Constipation may cause UTI, enuresis and VUR due to the uninhibited bladder contraction. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of nocturnal enuresis, UTI and instability symptoms in chronic functional constipation (CFC). This study included 38 children with CFC and 31 children as the control group. Detailed past and present history of UTIs or symptoms pointing to this diagnosis, enuresis, encopresis, urgency and urge incontinence was obtained from both groups as well as the family history of UTI. Urinalysis, urine culture and stool parasite analysis as well as abdominal ultrasonography were performed on both groups. Age range of the children with CFC was 6-192 months (mean +/- standard deviation (SD) 63.5 +/- 51 months); that of the control group was 4-180 months (mean +/- SD 82 +/- 46.2 months). Frequency of UTI and urgency was significantly higher in the CFC group. However, frequencies of urge incontinence, nocturnal enuresis, and genitourinary abnormalities were not different between the two groups. In conclusion, risk of UTI and urgency is increased in CFC, but that of other voiding dysfunctions like urge incontinence do not change significantly. Therefore, we suggest that UTI and urgency should be questioned in children with CFC and vice versa.