Overview
Bladder exstrophy (ex-strUH-fee) is a congenital urinary abnormality in which a fetus’s urinary bladder develops outside the body. “Congenital” means the condition occurs during fetal development. The bladder can’t hold pee or function as expected, which causes urinary incontinence.
In newborns with bladder exstrophy, the skin and pelvis don’t join as expected. As a result:
- The bladder sticks out of the skin on the outside of the belly (abdomen).
- The bladder has a flat shape, instead of the typical balloon-like shape.
- Problems develop in the pelvic bones and abdominal muscles.
- The bladder may not close.
How does bladder exstrophy affect my child’s body?
Bladder exstrophy affects a baby’s urinary system. Typically, when your bladder fills with pee, nerve signals tell your brain that your bladder is full. Your bladder muscles contract (squeeze) and force pee through a tube from your bladder to the outside of your body (urethra).
With bladder exstrophy, the cloaca (clo-AY-ka) doesn’t develop as it should. The cloaca is the area where the reproductive, digestive and urinary organs come together. Babies with bladder exstrophy empty pee through an opening in their abdomens instead of through their urethras.
Is bladder exstrophy life-threatening?
Babies who have bladder exstrophy have a typical life expectancy.
What are the types of bladder exstrophy?
Bladder exstrophy is one condition in a group of congenital conditions (birth defects) that healthcare providers call bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex (BEEC). Some babies have one type of BEEC at birth. Others have multiple BEEC conditions.
Other types of BEEC include:
- Epispadias. This condition is when the urethra doesn’t form as expected.
- Cloacal exstrophy. This condition is when the bladder and part of the large intestine (colon) form on the outside of the body. It also affects the genitals.
Is bladder exstrophy rare?
Yes, bladder exstrophy is rare. It affects around 1 out of every 50,000 newborns.
Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Prevention
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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