Purpose: We sought to determine whether the neonatal institution of treatment of neurogenic bladder dysfunction in myelomeningocele patients at high risk for urinary tract deterioration improves renal and bladder outcome.
Materials and methods: We reviewed the records of patients with bladder dysfunction believed to be at high risk for renal deterioration based on urodynamic studies. All patients were treated with clean intermittent catheterization. We compared rates of urinary infection, hydronephrosis, reflux, continence and surgical intervention in 46 patients in whom treatment was started in year 1 of life and 52 treated after age 4 years.
Results: Renal outcome was similar in both groups with persistent hydronephrosis in 6 of 46 patients (13%) and 7 of 52 (14%), respectively. However, significantly fewer bladder augmentation procedures were required in patients started on treatment during year 1 of life (5 of 46, 11% versus 14 of 52, 27%, p < 0.05).
Conclusions: In addition to any psychological benefit, early intervention with clean intermittent catheterization in children with neurogenic bladder dysfunction may help to prevent irreversible bladder dysfunction and limit the need for bladder augmentation.