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Bladder and bowel control in children with cerebral palsy: case-control study
Mustafa Ozturk1, Faruk Oktem, Nesimi Kisioglu
1Department of Public Health, Suleyman Demirel University School of Medicine, Isparta, Turkey. muozturk@med.sdu.edu.tr
Croatian Medical Journal
|April 21, 2006
Summary
Children with cerebral palsy achieve bladder and bowel control later than their peers. This population also experiences higher rates of enuresis and urinary tract infections, highlighting a need for targeted support.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Child Neurology
- Urology
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts motor development, potentially affecting continence.
- Understanding the nuances of bladder and bowel control development in children with CP is crucial for early intervention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the age of bladder and bowel control development in children with cerebral palsy.
- To determine the prevalence of enuresis, encopresis, and urinary infections in this population compared to siblings and healthy children.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving 45 children with CP, 37 siblings, and 37 healthy children.
- Data collected via questionnaires on developmental milestones and urinary symptoms.
- Urinary samples analyzed for infection in a subset of participants.
Main Results:
- Children with CP achieved nighttime bladder and bowel control significantly later (mean ages 47 and 45 months, respectively) than siblings (35 and 26 months) and healthy controls (27 and 25 months).
- Constipation was notably more prevalent in children with CP (P<0.001).
- Urinary tract infections were more frequent in children with CP (P=0.024).
Conclusions:
- Children with cerebral palsy experience delayed bladder and bowel control development.
- This group exhibits increased incidence of enuresis and urinary infections, underscoring the need for specialized care and management strategies.