Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Bladder Function and Cerebral Palsy


A retrospective study of 214 individuals (96 females and 118 males, ranging in age from 5-66 years old with a median age 9 years 7 months) with cerebral palsy was completed to determine the prevalence of symptomatic neurogenic bladder. The participants had hemiplegia, diplegia, quadriplegia and dyskinesia. Educational levels ranged from full special education to graduate degrees. The results indicated the following:

  • 16.4% had symptomatic neurogenic bladder
  • more than 80% of the participants had spastic hyper-reflexic type bladder
  • 91% obtained total continence or major improvement with conservative care
  • there was no association between symptomatic neurogenic bladder and age, educational and/or functional level.
This is important information when approaching toilet training in children with cerebral palsy.  Based on this study there is a high rate, 91%, of total continence or major improvements with conservative care.  

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Reference:  
KEVIN P MURPHY, SUSAN A BOUTIN and KATHY R IDE. Cerebral palsy, neurogenic bladder, and outcomes of lifetime care. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. Article first published online: 13 JUL 2012 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2012.04360.x

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