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Published on: August 5, 2010
[Urinary incontinence in children]
Hina Simonnet1, Pauline Lallemant-Dudek1
1Service de médecine physique et de réadaptation, hôpital pédiatrique Armand-Trousseau, AP-HP, Paris, France.
Insights
Urinary incontinence in children is usually functional. Evaluation involves clinical examination and bladder diaries to identify causes and guide tailored treatments for improved quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Neurology
- Behavioral Medicine
Context:
- Urinary incontinence is a common condition in children and adolescents.
- Often functional, it can also stem from underlying urological or neurological issues.
- Distinguishing between daytime and nocturnal incontinence is crucial for effective management.
Purpose:
- To outline the diagnostic approach for pediatric urinary incontinence.
- To detail various treatment options available for different types of incontinence.
- To emphasize the importance of considering neurocognitive factors and quality of life.
Summary:
- Initial assessment includes thorough questioning, clinical examination, and a bladder diary to rule out organic causes.
- Renal and bladder ultrasound are recommended; urodynamic studies are not routinely indicated.
- Treatment strategies encompass lifestyle advice, bowel management, medication, pelvic floor therapy, behavioral interventions, and posterior tibial nerve stimulation.
Impact:
- Provides a framework for diagnosing and managing pediatric urinary incontinence.
- Highlights the multifactorial nature of the condition, including functional, urological, neurological, and neurocognitive aspects.
- Underscores the potential for slow recovery and significant impact on a child's quality of life, necessitating a comprehensive approach.
Abstract:
URINARY INCONTINENCE IN CHILDREN. Urinary incontinence in children and adolescents is most often of functional origin. Questioning and clinical examination with a bladder diary should look for underlying urological or neurological causes. The type of incontinence, daytime or nocturnal, must be specified to adapt treatments. Renal and bladder ultrasound is recommended, and urodynamic studies are not routinely used. Lifestyle advice and bowel management are prerequisites for treatment. Depending on the type of symptoms, drug treatment, pelvic floor treatment, behavioral measures or stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve can be proposed. The evolution can sometimes be slow with a significant impact on quality of life, and neurocognitive aspects need to be considered.
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