New Review in Pediatric Urology: Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction
September 23, 2023
A new review paper in the August 2023 edition of the journal Urologic Clinics of North America digs into the details of “Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction” in pediatric patients.
Co-authoring the review were John S. Wiener, MD (Duke University Medical Center), and Rajeev Chaudhry, MD, assistant professor of Urology in the Division of Pediatric Urology at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
About the Review
Neurogenic Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction (NLUTD) is most commonly seen in children born with spina bifida. Although not a widespread condition, it does play a substantial role in pediatric urology. NLUTD is characterized by the improper function of the bladder and sometimes the kidneys, caused by nerve issues that can be present from birth or develop later.
In the review, Drs. Chaudhry and Weiner discuss the disorders causes and prevalence, typical trajectories and downstream effects seen in patients with NLUTD, and the current standards of care and treatment guidelines for this patient population.
NLUTD requires careful and often immediate treatment to avoid serious health problems like infections in the urinary tract and long-term kidney issues. Treatments must also consider the child's future quality of life, as the condition can negatively affect bladder and bowel function.
Drs. Chaudhry and Weiner further discuss the evolution and successes in treating these patients during that last several decades, while going on to advocate for a series of improvements and updates to treatment guidelines that focus on both medical and surgical requirements of care, guidelines that take a more proactive approach to immediate and long-term patient care needs.
Learn more about Dr. Chaudhry and the Division of Pediatric Urology at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
For additional details, read the entire paper on the journal website.
