Voiding dysfunction in children causes, management, and prognosis: A single-center retrospective study

To review voiding dysfunction caused by 3 different etiologies; dysfunction voiding syndrome (DVS), neurogenic bladder secondary to spinal dysraphisim (NB), and valve bladder syndrome (VBS).

A single-center retrospective study on children with voiding dysfunction followed up at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from 2005 to 2017.

One hundred and ninety-nine children (67.3% boys) were included: Group 1 (n=75, DVS), Group 2 (n=64, NB), and Group 3 (n=60, VBS). Further classification according to the age at presentation; infants (46%), toddlers (27%) and school aged (28%). Management categories: 31% children needed observation only, 25% needed clean intermittent catheterization (CIC), 13% needed only surgery and 31% needed both surgery and CIC. Associated comorbidities: hydronephrosis (81%), vesicoureteral reflux (47%), pyelonephritis (37%) and renal scar (60%), all have negative impact on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Urodynamic studies revealed poor bladder compliance in 57.6% and atonic bladder in 1.1%, progression to chronic kidney disease (22%), commenced on renal replacement therapy 11.5% and 4% died with ESKD. Overall improvement in the last eGFR is observed (p<0.001), but VBS group was the least to improve (p=0.021). There was a negative correlation between the last eGFR and age at presentation (p=0.002).

Early diagnosis and management of childhood voiding dysfunction was associated with better prognosis. Children managed conservatively have better preservation of kidney function than those who needed surgery.