Outcome of overactive bladder in children

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Published on: August 28, 2020

Stanley Hellerstein1, Amy Ajans Zguta

  • 1The University of Missouri School of Medicine at Kansas City, Missouri, The Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, USA.

Clinical Pediatrics
|August 19, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Overactive bladder in children often resolves with behavioral changes and medication. Most children experienced symptom improvement or complete recovery after a 3-year follow-up.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Urology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition in children.
  • Effective management strategies are crucial for improving quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term outcomes of OAB management in children.
  • To assess the efficacy of behavioral modification and anticholinergic medication.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 144 children diagnosed with OAB was followed for an average of 3.15 years.
  • Initial treatment involved behavioral modification (fluid intake, timed voiding, constipation treatment).
  • Anticholinergic medication was administered to non-responders.

Main Results:

  • 68 children (47.2%) recovered completely from OAB symptoms.
  • 61 children (42.4%) showed decreased symptoms.
  • 15 children (10.4%) had persistent OAB symptoms.
  • Children with posturing had a higher risk of urinary tract infections.

Conclusions:

  • Behavioral modification and anticholinergic medication are effective in managing pediatric overactive bladder.
  • A significant majority of children achieve symptom resolution or improvement.
  • Posturing may indicate a higher risk for complications like UTIs.

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