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Achieving continence in children with neurogenic bowel and bladder
Candace F Zickler1, Virginia Richardson
1Team Clinics, Children's Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio, USA. zcandace@who.rr.com
Insights
Children with neurogenic bowel and bladder dysfunction can achieve continence with modified routines. This developmental milestone improves family relationships and a child's self-concept, with nurses playing a key role.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Bowel and bladder continence represents a significant developmental milestone for children and their families.
- Neurogenic bowel and bladder dysfunction, often associated with myelomeningocele and other neural tube defects, presents a physical barrier to achieving continence.
- Early intervention and tailored support are crucial for managing these conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the attainability of continence in children with neurogenic bowel and bladder dysfunction.
- To emphasize the positive impact of achieving continence on family dynamics and child self-perception.
- To define the pivotal role of nurses in supporting children with neural tube defects to achieve continence.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on continence management in children with neural tube defects.
- Analysis of the impact of modified routines on achieving bowel and bladder control.
- Exploration of the nursing role in school, clinic, and home health settings.
Main Results:
- Children with neurogenic bowel and bladder dysfunction can achieve continence through appropriate modifications to traditional routines.
- Attaining continence significantly enhances parent-child relationships and improves the child's self-concept.
- Nurses are instrumental in facilitating continence management across various healthcare settings.
Conclusions:
- Continence is achievable for children with myelomeningocele and other neural tube defects with tailored interventions.
- Successful continence management positively influences psychosocial development and family well-being.
- Nurses are essential members of the healthcare team, empowering children with neural tube defects to reach continence goals.
Abstract:
Bowel and bladder continence is a major developmental accomplishment for a child and his or her family. Children with neurogenic bowel and bladder dysfunction, which occurs with myelomeningocele and other neural tube defects, have a physical inability to attain continence. However, children with these limitations can attain continence when the appropriate modifications to the traditional routines are made. Enabling the child to attain continence improves parental relationships and self-concept. The nurse who is working with children with myelomeningocele in schools, clinics, private offices, and home health care settings can play a vital role in helping a child with a neural tube defect achieve continence.
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