The goal of our colorectal and gastrointestinal specialty care is to provide children with anal-rectal disorders advanced care and rehabilitation that frees them from social stigma and allows them to live and play like other children.
Bladder exstrophy is a rare birth defect in which the bladder develops outside the fetus. It causes an infant to be born with the bladder inside out and exposed on the outside of the body. The exposed bladder can't store urine or function normally, resulting in urine leakage (incontinence).
Problems caused by bladder exstrophy vary in complexity. They can include problems in the bladder, genitals and pelvic bones, as well as in the intestines and reproductive organs.
Bladder exstrophy can result in weakened abdominal muscles and a shorter than average urethra and vagina or penis. It can present several associated challenges during care, including:
It may be spotted on a routine ultrasound during pregnancy. Sometimes the defect isn't visible until the baby is born. Babies born with bladder exstrophy will need surgery to correct the defects.
The team of pediatric surgeons at Shriners Children's understands the physical and emotional impacts of bladder exstrophy for both an expectant mother and the child. Children born with bladder exstrophy are treated with reconstructive surgery after birth and then are provided long-term follow up care including medical management, bowel management, psychosocial support and other support services. Additional surgeries are sometimes needed as the child grows.
Children with bladder exstrophy have normal life expectancies and the ability to live full and productive lives with working relationships and children of their own. Shriners Children's offers a wide variety of services to put children on the path to independence and freedom.
Specific treatments and services may vary by location. Please contact a specific location for more information.
Jordyn’s care was truly a team effort. Her medical team discussed her case and decided what would be best. They took the time to include us in the decision-making process. It was truly a collaboration.
