Urological outcomes in children with congenital Zika syndrome: The experience of a cohort in Campina Grande, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the urological outcomes in children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) and investigate the relationship between clinical and urological findings in this population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved children with CZS followed up by a referral centre for children with microcephaly in the state of Paraiba in northeast Brazil. The urological evaluation included clinical history, urine culture results, ultrasonography of the urinary tract, and urodynamic evaluation, following the protocol proposed by Costa Monteiro et al. (2017). Descriptive statistical analysis was performed in addition to association and correlation tests, considering clinical and urodynamic variables. RESULTS: Among the 88 children with CZS (35.5 ± 5.5 months), 97.7% had microcephaly, and 51% presented urinary tract infection (UTI) confirmed with clinical history and lab tests. The number of confirmed UTI episodes varied from one to 14 per child. The urodynamic evaluation confirmed the presence of an overactive bladder in 78 children and incomplete voiding in 50. Urodynamic findings were associated with the number of confirmed UTI episodes, child's sex, and actual weight, in addition to the use of anticonvulsant and myorelaxant drugs. CONCLUSIONS: UTIs were confirmed in most children. Other urological outcomes observed were overactive bladder and low bladder capacity, which were associated with the number of confirmed UTI episodes, use of anticonvulsants and myorelaxants, and the child's sex and weight. These are treatable conditions, and it is paramount that paediatricians, neonatologists, and infectious disease specialists are aware of them to make clinical decisions and help reduce the risk of renal damage and other morbidities.

Depression, anxiety and quality of life impairment in parents of children with functional lower urinary tract dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) is a common clinical condition in children, frequently associated with emotional issues both among the patients and their families. The objective of the present study was to measure depressive and anxious symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in parents of LUTD patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study applied Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories and WHOQOL-Bref to 88 caregivers of children with LUTD followed at a tertiary care center. The prevalence of mental disorders in children and adolescents was assessed using the Child Behavior Check List (CBCL 6-18) answered by their caregivers. The association of clinical features and emotional aspects related to the caregivers' quality of life was evaluated through non-parametric correlation (Spearman) and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Most of the caregivers were mothers (88%), with a mean age of 41.5 (SD 8.7 years), 67% of them married or in a stable union, and 38% had not completed elementary school. Considering 19 as the cutoff point for the Beck scale, 44% of the sample had a clinical score for depressive symptoms and 43% for anxious symptoms. According to the parents' report, 56% of children with LUTD had a clinical score for behavioral problems in CBCL. Parents' QoL was impaired, and the predictors of poor QoL were the age of the patients and presence of depressive/anxious symptoms in caregivers. Parents' depression/anxiety symptoms and poor QoL significantly correlated with behavioral problems in their children. The CBCL total problems score correlated both to depression (r = 0.38, p < 0.01) and to anxiety in parents (r = 0.49, p < 0.01) (Figure). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate a possible emotional impact of LUTD in patients' caregivers. Our study suggests that an approach to the family of LUTD patients' may be an important therapeutic resource for an effective clinical control of this condition.

Association between a constipation scoring system adapted for use in children and the dysfunctional voiding symptom score in children and adolescents with lower urinary tract symptoms.

INTRODUCTION: A presumed association between more severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and more severe functional constipation (FC) remains unconfirmed. Because the Rome IV criteria do not quantify FC, an adult constipation scoring system was modified and adapted for use in children. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the correlation between FC severity as determined by the modified constipation scoring system and LUTS severity in children/adolescents and the correlation between this modified scoring system and the Rome IV criteria. STUDY DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study including 5- to 17-year-old patients with LUTS, with or without FC. Patients with neurological and/or anatomical abnormalities of the genitourinary and/or gastrointestinal tract were excluded. Girls with Dysfunctional Voiding Symptom Score (DVSS) ≥6 and boys with DVSS ≥9 were diagnosed with lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). Patients with at least two positive Rome IV criteria were considered constipated. The severity of FC according to the adapted constipation scoring system was classified as mild for scores of 1-10, moderate for scores 11-20, and severe for scores 21-30. RESULTS: Of 128 patients with LUTS, 71 (55.5%) were female. Lower urinary tract dysfunction was detected in 107 patients (83.6%) and was more common in girls. Functional constipation was present in 80 patients (62.5%). Constipated children had higher constipation scores and DVSS, with both scores increasing with the severity of FC. Correlation was moderate between the constipation score and the DVSS (þ = 0.5, p < 0.001) and was strong between positivity for a greater number of Rome IV criteria and the constipation score (þ = 0.7, p < 0.001). Most of the constipated patients had mild or moderate FC, while in 30 non-constipated patients, the constipation score indicated mild FC. DISCUSSION: Patients from a specialist center are more likely to have more severe medical problems, and this may have influenced the correlation between the scores. The modifications made to the constipation scoring system require a future validation study. Nevertheless, this study provides new data on urinary dysfunction and its association with FC and highlights the need to investigate occult bowel symptoms that could affect the treatment of urinary dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The intensity of FC as measured by the modified constipation scoring system correlated with the severity of the urinary symptoms in children/adolescents with LUTS/LUTD. In constipated patients, there was a correlation between the modified constipation scoring system and the Rome IV criteria. In non-constipated patients, the constipation scoring system identified symptoms/signs of bowel dysfunction not picked up by the Rome IV criteria. Finally, constipation score modified for use in children and adolescents could be important for research purpose and particularly having a prognostic importance.

Emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents with lower urinary tract dysfunction: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: An association has been found between lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) and emotional and behavioral problems, particularly in cases of urinary incontinence. Other associated symptoms and the coexistence of functional constipation require further investigation. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether emotional and behavioral problems are more common in children and adolescents with LUTD. STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter, cross-sectional, population-based study conducted in public places. Parents answered questions on urinary and psychological symptoms in their children aged 5-14 years. Children/adolescents with neurological problems or anatomical urinary tract abnormalities were excluded. The Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System was used for assessing urinary symptoms, the Rome III Diagnostic Criteria for evaluating bowel symptoms, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for evaluating emotional and behavioral problems. RESULTS: Of the 806 children/adolescents included, 53% were female. The mean age was 9.1 ± 2.7 years. The prevalence of LUTD was 16.4%. Overall, 26.2% had abnormal scores in the overall SDQ scale, 29.2% in the emotional problems subscale, and 30% in the conduct problems subscale. Of the children with LUTD, 40.5% screened positive for emotional/behavioral problems, with a significant association being found for the overall SDQ scale (P < 0.001) and for the emotional problems (P < 0.001), conduct problems (P < 0.001), and hyperactivity (P = 0.037) subscales. Urinary urgency, urinary incontinence, and voiding postponement were significantly associated with a greater prevalence of abnormalities in the overall SDQ score (P = 0.05; P = 0.004, and P = 0.012, respectively). Bladder and bowel dysfunction was an aggravator of emotional and behavioral problems, with more intense symptoms, both in the overall SDQ scale and in the subscales. In the multivariate analysis, the factors independently associated with the presence of emotional and behavioral problems were LUTD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91), constipation (OR = 1.7), studying in a government-funded school (OR = 2.2), and poor education of the head of the family (OR = 1.9). CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with LUTD have more emotional and behavioral problems, with bladder and bowel dysfunction being an aggravating factor for this association.

Diagnosis and Management of Bladder Dysfunction in Neurologically Normal Children.

Normal bladder and urethral sphincter development as well as neural/volitional control over bladder-sphincter function are essential steps for regular lower urinary tract function. These maturational sequences are clinically evident by the age of 5 years. However, in 17-22% of children, symptoms persist beyond that age, characterizing lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). The clinical spectrum is wide and includes overactive bladder, voiding postponement, underactive bladder, infrequent voiding, extraordinary daytime only urinary frequency, vaginal reflux, bladder neck dysfunction, and giggle incontinence. LUTD may lead to vesicoureteral reflux and recurrent urinary tract infections, increasing the likelihood of renal scarring. LUTD is often associated with constipation and emotional/behavioral disorders such as anxiety, depression, aggressiveness, and social isolation, making diagnosis, and treatment imperative. Diagnosis of LUTD is essentially based on clinical history, investigation of bladder storage, voiding symptoms (urinary frequency, daytime incontinence, enuresis, urgency) and constipation. Dysfunctional Voiding Score System (DVSS) is a helpful tool. Physical examination focuses on the abdomen to investigate a distended bladder or palpable fecal mass, the lumbosacral spine, and reflex testing. Bladder diaries are important for recording urinary frequency and water balance, while uroflowmetry is used to assess voided volume, maximum flow, and curve patterns. Bladder ultrasonography to measure post-void residual urine volume and urodynamics are used as supplemental tests. Current first line treatment is urotherapy, a combination of behavioral measures to avoid postponing micturition, and a restricted diet for at least 2 months. Anticholinergics, ß3 agonists and neuromodulation are alternative therapies to manage refractory overactive bladder. Cure rates, at around 40%, are considered satisfactory, with daytime symptoms improving in 32% of cases. Furthermore, children who are also constipated need treatment, preferentially with polyethylene glycol at doses of 1-1.5 g/kg in the 1st 3 days and 0.25-0.5 g/kg thereafter until the 2-month period of behavioral therapy is complete. If urotherapy fails in cases of dysfunctional voiding, the next step is biofeedback to teach the child how to relax the external urethral sphincter during micturition. Success rate is around 80%. Children with underactive bladder usually need a combination of clean intermittent catheterization, alpha-blockers, biofeedback and neuromodulation; however, cure rates are uncertain.

The International Continence Society (ICS) report on the terminology for adult male lower urinary tract and pelvic floor symptoms and dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: In the development of terminology of the lower urinary tract, due to its increasing complexity, the terminology for male lower urinary tract and pelvic floor symptoms and dysfunction needs to be updated using a male-specific approach and via a clinically-based consensus report. METHODS: This report combines the input of members of the Standardisation Committee of the International Continence Society (ICS) in a Working Group with recognized experts in the field, assisted by many external referees. Appropriate core clinical categories and a subclassification were developed to give a numeric coding to each definition. An extensive process of 22 rounds of internal and external review was developed to exhaustively examine each definition, with decision-making by collective opinion (consensus). RESULTS: A Terminology Report for male lower urinary tract and pelvic floor symptoms and dysfunction, encompassing around 390 separate definitions/descriptors, has been developed. It is clinically-based with the most common diagnoses defined. Clarity and user-friendliness have been key aims to make it interpretable by practitioners and trainees in all the different specialty groups involved in male lower urinary tract and pelvic floor dysfunction. Male-specific imaging (ultrasound, radiology, CT, and MRI) has been a major addition whilst appropriate figures have been included to supplement and help clarify the text. CONCLUSIONS: A consensus-based Terminology Report for male lower urinary tract and pelvic floor symptoms and dysfunction has been produced aimed at being a significant aid to clinical practice and a stimulus for research.

Behavioral disorders and impairment of quality of life in children and adolescents with lower urinary tract dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) is a broad term describing the full spectrum of disorders in any of the stages of bladder function-storage or voiding LUTD is a clinical condition associated with emotional and behavioral disorders in children. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the association of emotional and behavioral symptoms and their impact on the quality of life (QoL) in children and adolescents with LUTD. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients and their parents enrolled in an interdisciplinary program for children and adolescents with LUTD were included in the analysis. Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used to estimate the prevalence of behavioral and emotional problems through the assessment of 14 items. Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (versions for parents and children) was applied in the versions for parents and children to evaluate the QoL. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory-PedsQL, version 4.0-was applied separately for parents and patients. The association of clinical variables and aspects related to QoL of patients were evaluated through non-parametric correlations (Spearman) and multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: According to CBCL's clinical scores, 56% of the patients showed total behavioral problems, 55% internalizing, and 38% externalizing. When comparing the conditions of LUTD and the CBCL scores, patients with voiding postponement had the lowest rates of total problems (P = 0.036). Children and adolescents with LUTD who also had enuresis showed a higher frequency of externalizing problems (P = 0.001), especially aggressive behavior (P = 0.013). Scores of patients with LUTD were significantly lower in all domains of QoL than normative data. Presence of behavioral problems was associated with worse QoL in all evaluated aspects. The total QoL was most influenced by the CBCL school competence scale according to the regression model analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest the relevance of evaluation of behavioral and social repercussions of LUTD to improve the multidisciplinary approach for this condition in pediatric population.

Obesity and lower urinary tract dysfunction in children and adolescents: Further research into new relationships.

INTRODUCTION: Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) involves faults in the filling and emptying phases of bladder function in toilet-trained children with no previous infection or any other obvious pathology. Lower urinary tract dysfunction is associated with conditions such as vesicoureteral reflux, recurrent urinary infection, behavioral alterations and decreased quality of life. The literature suggests an association between LUTD and obesity; however, the association between each individual symptom and obesity has yet to be evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between excess weight and LUTD in children and adolescents in a community-based sample. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study included 423 children and adolescents aged 5-17 years, and randomly selected in public places and schools between May and July 2015. The participants and their mothers completed the Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System (DVSS) questionnaire, except for the questions on constipation and with the addition of a question on enuresis. They also completed the Rome III questionnaire, in which two positive responses defined the presence of constipation. Participants were classified as being of normal weight, overweight or obese, which was based on the BMI-for-age indicator. RESULTS: Mean age was 9.7 years (SD 2.9), with girls comprising 50.6% of the sample and adolescents 52.5%. The prevalence of LUTD was 7.1%, with 13.5% of participants being overweight and 12.1% obese (Figure). Constipation was present in 5.9% of participants and enuresis in 10.8%. In the multivariate analysis, three factors were independently and significantly associated with a positive DVSS: age <10 years (ß = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.34-1.18), constipation (ß = 1.79; 95% CI: 0.88-2.70) and obesity (ß = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.25-1.52). DISCUSSION: Only bladder filling symptoms were associated with obesity. This may be explained by the fact that both obese individuals and those with emptying symptoms were shown to have activation alterations in the same brain regions. One limitation of this study was the use of questionnaires alone to diagnose LUTD and constipation. CONCLUSION: Only the bladder-emptying symptoms of LUTD appear to be associated with obesity. This hypothesis may serve as a basis for future studies.

Constipation and Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Children and Adolescents: A Population-Based Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between constipation and lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) and nocturnal enuresis in a population-based study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. The criteria for inclusion were children and adolescents of between 5 and 17 years and who agreed to sign the informed consent form. The study excluded students with neurological problems or who had documented abnormalities of the urinary tract. To identify the presence and severity of LUTD, we used the Voiding Dysfunction Symptom Score (DVSS). To evaluate the presence of constipation, Rome III questionnaire was used. RESULTS: We interviewed 829 children and adolescents, of which 416 (50.18%) were male. The mean (SD) age was 9.1 (±2.9) years. The overall prevalence of LUTD was 9.1%, predominantly in girls (15 versus 3.1%, p < 0.001). Constipation was found in 9.4% of boys and 12.4% of girls (p = 0.169). Constipated children were 6.8 times more likely to have LUTD than those not constipated (p < 0.001, coefficient and correlation of 0.411). Constipation was found in 8.2% of children without LUTD and in 35.2% of children with LUTD. We performed multivariate analysis to identify urinary symptoms that are independent predictors of the presence of constipation. The presence of infrequent urination (p = 0.004) and holding maneuvers (p < 0.001) were independent predictors. It was noted also noted that constipated children, according to the Rome III criteria, possess a worse DVSS (p < 0.001). Regarding the presence of nocturnal enuresis, 12.6% of children and adolescents had constipation in association with this symptom. However, this relationship was not statistically significant (p = 0.483). CONCLUSION: Constipated children were 6.8 times more likely to have LUTD than those not constipated. Among the urinary symptoms, infrequent voiding and holding maneuvers are independent factors of urinary expressions in constipated children. Children with more severe constipation have more prominent urinary symptoms. The presence of enuresis was not associated with constipation.

A two-day bladder diary for children: Is it enough?

INTRODUCTION: A bladder diary (BD) is a simple and non-invasive method of evaluating people with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Recently, the ICCS recommended a 48-h daytime frequency and volume chart (which does not need to be recorded on 2 consecutive days) to evaluate lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction. However, some studies on adults have demonstrated that a minimum of 3 days is required. It is believed that, to date, there are no studies in the literature that compare a 2-day BD with a 3-day BD. The advantages of a BD over a shorter period of time are the simplicity and possible better parent compliance. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate if a 2-day BD is statistically and clinically comparable to a 3-day BD. STUDY DESIGN: A voiding diary was filled in over a 3-day period for 92 children (ages ranged from to 3-16 years, mean 7.9 ± 3.07) attending the present institution. By using the voiding diary, the following parameters were calculated: urination frequency, maximum and average volumes of urine (MVV and AVV) and fluid intake. The diary considered the 2 days as the first and second days of the 3-day diary. RESULTS: Out of the 92 children, eight (8.7%) did not properly complete the diary. The sample predominantly comprised females (n = 55, 59.8%). No differences were seen between 2-day and 3-day bladder diaries regarding fluid intake, maximum and average voided volume. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the 2-day bladder diary for detecting frequency were 83.4%, 91.7%, 80% and 93.2%, and for low bladder capacity they were 97.2%, 90.9%, 99% and 88%, respectively (Table). DISCUSSION: In a 2006 document, the ICCS recommended that a bladder diary be kept for 3 days, but in new documentation (2014) there is a reference stating that 2 days are enough. Bladder capacity is an important parameter in evaluating LUTS. Using a 2-day BD, the data showed that only a small percentage of reduced bladder capacity diagnosis would be lost. CONCLUSION: When using the 2-day diary, a 16% false negative rate for frequency should be expected. A 2-day bladder diary is sufficient to evaluate bladder capacity and fluid intake.

Evaluation of constipation after parasacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in children with lower urinary tract dysfunction--a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of parasacral transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for the treatment of constipation in children with lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 9 boys and 5 girls with a mean age of 8.07 ± 2.72 years. 10 (71.4%) had overactive bladder and 4 (28.6%) had voiding dysfunction. A total of 20 parasacral TENS sessions, 20 min each (10 Hz), were performed 3 times per week. The criteria used to assess constipation were the Rome III criteria for children, the Bristol Stool Chart, and a visual analog scale (pain from 0 to 10). The children were reassessed immediately after treatment. No specific treatment of constipation was performed. RESULTS: After treatment, 85.7% (p < 0.001) of the children's constipation symptoms had improved following the Rome III criteria. Parasacral TENS significantly impacted the following symptoms: "the presence of at least one episode of fecal incontinence per week", "history of stool retention", and "the presence of a large fecal mass in the rectum." There was no significant change in the Bristol Stool Chart evaluation (p < 0.25), but there was a significant improving trend in level of pain before and after treatment (p < 0.063). All urinary symptoms evaluated showed improvement after TENS treatment. There was a decrease in post-void residual urine. CONCLUSION: In this first study to evaluate the results of parasacral TENS on constipation in children with LUTD, satisfactory results were obtained for both complaints.