Noninvasive evaluation of lower urinary tract function in children with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was noninvasive evaluation of voiding function in children with cerebral palsy.


METHODS
Sixty children with cerebral palsy were enrolled in the study. Urinary system symptoms were recorded. Uroflowmetric tests were carried out, and postvoid residual volume was measured immediately after voiding by using a portable ultrasonic device developed for children. The expected age-related bladder capacity was calculated and compared with the observed bladder capacity. Uroflowmetric curves were evaluated and classified as normal (bell-shaped) and abnormal.


RESULTS
Thirty-three of the children (55%) were symptomatic. In 17 (28.3%) of the children, postvoid residual urine was observed. There was a statistically significant difference between the expected bladder capacity (271.6 +/- 38.3 ml) and the observed bladder capacity (154.5 +/- 111.8 ml) (P < 0.001). Observed bladder capacity was lower than the expected bladder capacity in 56 (93.3%) of the children. In the evaluation of the uroflowmetric charts, 22 (36.7%) children had abnormal curves.


CONCLUSIONS
Bladder capacity is decreased in most children with cerebral palsy, and postvoid residue is present in an important proportion. Uroflowmetry and portable ultrasonic device combination is a noninvasive, well-tolerated, and efficient method in the first line evaluation of lower urinary tract function in children with cerebral palsy.
Ersoz
Murat
M
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital of Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
Kaya
Kurtulus
K
Erol
Songul Kimyon
SK
Kulakli
Fazil
F
Akyuz
Mufit
M
Ozel
Sumru
S
D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014463:Ultrasonography; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D014563:Urodynamics