European Association of Urology/European Society for Paediatric Urology Guidelines on Paediatric Urology: Summary of the 2024 Updates.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We present an overview of the 2024 updates for the European Association of Urology (EAU)/European Society for Paediatric Urology (ESPU) guidelines on paediatric urology to offer evidence-based standards for perioperative management, minimally invasive surgery (MIS), hydrocele, congenital lower urinary tract obstruction (CLUTO), trauma/emergencies, and fertility preservation. METHODS: A broad literature search was performed for each condition. Recommendations were developed and rated as strong or weak on the basis of the quality of the evidence, the benefit/harm ratio, and potential patient preferences. KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: Recommendations for perioperative management include points related to fasting, premedication, antibiotic prophylaxis, pain control, and thromboprophylaxis in patients requiring general anaesthesia. MIS use is increasing in paediatric urology, with no major differences observed among different MIS approaches. For hydrocele, observation is the initial approach recommended. For persistent cases, treatment varies according to the type of hydrocele. CLUTO cases should be managed in tertiary centres with multidisciplinary expertise in prenatal and postnatal management. Neonatal valve ablation remains the mainstay of treatment, but associated bladder dysfunction requires continuous treatment. Among urological traumas and emergencies, renal trauma is still an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Conservative management has become the standard approach in haemodynamically stable children. Ischaemic priapism is a medical emergency and requires stepwise management. Initial management of nonischaemic priapism is conservative. Fertility preservation in prepubertal children and adolescents has become an increasingly relevant issue owing to the ever-increasing number of cancer survivors receiving gonadotoxic therapies. A major limitation is the scarcity of relevant literature. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This summary of the 2024 EAU/ESPU guidelines provides updated guidance for evidence-based management of some paediatric urological conditions. PATIENT SUMMARY: We provide a summary of the updated European Association of Urology/European Society for Paediatric Urology guidelines on paediatric urology. There are recommendations on steps to take before and immediately after surgery, management of hydrocele, congenital lower urinary tract obstruction, and urological trauma/emergencies, as well as preservation of fertility. Recommendations are based on a comprehensive review of recent studies.

Update and Summary of the European Association of Urology/European Society of Paediatric Urology Paediatric Guidelines on Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The prescriptive literature on vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is still limited and thus the level of evidence is generally low. The aim of these guidelines is to provide a practical approach to the treatment of VUR that is based on risk analysis and selective indications for both diagnostic tests and interventions. We provide a 2023 update on the chapter on VUR in children from the European Association of Urology (EAU) and European Society for Paediatric Urology (ESPU) guidelines. METHODS: A structured literature review was performed for all relevant publications published from the last update up to March 2022. KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: The most important updates are as follows. Bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD) is common in toilet-trained children presenting with urinary tract infection (UTI) with or without primary VUR and increases the risk of febrile UTI and focal uptake defects on a radionuclide scan. Continuous antibiotic prophylaxis (CAP) may not be required in every VUR patient. Although the literature does not provide any reliable information on CAP duration in VUR patients, a practical approach would be to consider CAP until there is no further BBD. Recommendations for children with febrile UTI and high-grade VUR include initial medical treatment, with surgical care reserved for CAP noncompliance, breakthrough febrile UTIs despite CAP, and symptomatic VUR that persists during long-term follow-up. Comparison of laparoscopic extravesical versus transvesicoscopic ureteral reimplantation demonstrated that both are good option in terms of resolution and complication rates. Extravesical surgery is the most common approach used for robotic reimplantation, with a wide range of variations and success rates. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This summary of the updated 2023 EAU/ESPU guidelines provides practical considerations for the management and diagnostic evaluation of VUR in children. ADVANCING PRACTICE: For children with VUR, it is important to treat BBD if present. A practical approach regarding the duration of CAP is to consider administration until BBD resolution. PATIENT SUMMARY: We provide a summary and update of guidelines on the diagnosis and management of urinary reflux (where urine flows back up through the urinary tract) in children. Treatment of bladder and bowel dysfunction is critical, as this is common in toilet-trained children presenting with urinary tract infection.

Endoscopic dilatation/incision of primary obstructive megaureter. A systematic review. On behalf of the EAU paediatric urology guidelines panel.

INTRODUCTION: Historically, ureteral reimplantation (UR) has been the gold standard for treatment of primary obstructive megaureter (POM) with declining renal function, worsening obstruction, or recurrent urinary tract infections. In infants, open surgery with reimplantation of a grossly dilated ureter into a small bladder, can be technically challenging with significant morbidity. Therefore, less invasive endoscopic management such as dilatation or incision of the ureter-vesical junction, has emerged as an alternative to reimplantation during the last decades. OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the effectivity, safety, and potential benefits of endoscopic treatment (dilatation with or without balloon or incision) of POM in comparison to UR. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review was conducted. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), nonrandomized comparative studies (NRSs), and single-arm case series including a minimum of 20 participants and a mean follow-up more than 12 months were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS: Of 504 articles identified, 8 articles including 338 patients were eligible for inclusion (0 RCTs, 1 NRSs, and 7 case series). Age at time of surgery was minimum 15 days to a maximum of 192 months. Indications for endoscopic treatment (ET) included patients with loss of split renal function (>10%) and worsening of hydroureteronephrosis. The studies analysed reported a success rate ranging from 35% to 97%. Success was defined as stabilization of differential renal function without further procedures. A post-operative complication rate of 23-60% was reported (mostly transient haematuria, urinary tract infections and stent migration or intolerance). In 14% of the cases salvage UR following initial ET, was performed due to relapse of symptomatic POM. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic treatment for persistent or progressive POM in children is a minimally invasive alternative to UR with a long-term modest success rate. Additionally, it can be performed within a wide age span, with equal success rate and complication rates.

Maternal risk factors for posterior urethral valves.

Introduction: Posterior urethral valves (PUV) is a congenital disorder causing an obstruction of the lower urinary tract that affects approximately 1 in 4,000 male live births. PUV is considered a multifactorial disorder, meaning that both genetic and environmental factors are involved in its development. We investigated maternal risk factors for PUV. Methods: We included 407 PUV patients and 814 controls matched on year of birth from the AGORA data- and biobank and three participating hospitals. Information on potential risk factors (family history of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), season of conception, gravidity, subfertility, and conception using assisted reproductive techniques (ART), plus maternal age, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and use of alcohol and folic acid) was derived from maternal questionnaires. After multiple imputation, adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were estimated using conditional logistic regression corrected for minimally sufficient sets of confounders determined using directed acyclic graphs. Results: A positive family history and low maternal age (<25 years) were associated with PUV development [aORs: 3.3 and 1.7 with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 1.4-7.7 and 1.0-2.8, respectively], whereas higher maternal age (>35 years) was associated with a lower risk (aOR: 0.7 95% CI: 0.4-1.0). Maternal preexisting hypertension seemed to increase PUV risk (aOR: 2.1 95% CI: 0.9-5.1), while gestational hypertension seemed to decrease this risk (aOR: 0.6 95% CI: 0.3-1.0). Concerning use of ART, the aORs for the different techniques were all above one, but with very wide 95% CIs including one. None of the other factors studied were associated with PUV development. Conclusion: Our study showed that family history of CAKUT, low maternal age, and potentially preexisting hypertension were associated with PUV development, whereas higher maternal age and gestational hypertension seemed to be associated with a lower risk. Maternal age and hypertension as well as the possible role of ART in the development of PUV require further research.

Genome-wide association study in patients with posterior urethral valves.

Congenital lower urinary tract obstructions (LUTO) are most often caused by posterior urethral valves (PUV), a male limited anatomical obstruction of the urethra affecting 1 in 4,000 male live births. Little is known about the genetic background of PUV. Here, we report the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) for PUV in 4 cohorts of patients and controls. The final meta-analysis included 756 patients and 4,823 ethnicity matched controls and comprised 5,754,208 variants that were genotyped or imputed and passed quality control in all 4 cohorts. No genome-wide significant locus was identified, but 33 variants showed suggestive significance (P < 1 × 10-5). When considering only loci with multiple variants residing within < 10 kB of each other showing suggestive significance and with the same effect direction in all 4 cohorts, 3 loci comprising a total of 9 variants remained. These loci resided on chromosomes 13, 16, and 20. The present GWAS and meta-analysis is the largest genetic study on PUV performed to date. The fact that no genome-wide significant locus was identified, can be explained by lack of power or may indicate that common variants do not play a major role in the etiology of PUV. Nevertheless, future studies are warranted to replicate and validate the 3 loci that yielded suggestive associations.

European Association of Urology and European Society for Paediatric Urology Guidelines on Paediatric Urinary Stone Disease.

CONTEXT: Paediatric stone disease is an important clinically entity and management is often challenging. Although it is known that the condition is endemic in some geographic regions of the world, the global incidence is also increasing. Patient age and sex; the number, size, location, and composition of the stone; and the anatomy of the urinary tract are factors that need to be taken into consideration when choosing a treatment modality. OBJECTIVE: To provide a general insight into the evaluation and management of urolithiasis in the paediatric population in the era of minimally invasive surgery. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A nonsystematic review of the literature on management of paediatric urolithiasis was conducted with the aim of presenting the most suitable treatment modality for different scenarios. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Because of high recurrence rates, open surgical intervention is not the first option for paediatric stone disease, except for very young patients with very large stones in association with congenital abnormalities. Minimally invasive surgeries have become the first option with the availability of appropriately sized instruments and accumulating experience. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is noninvasive and can be carried out as an outpatient procedure under sedation, and is the initial choice for management of smaller stones. However, for larger stones, SWL has lower stone-free rates and higher retreatment rates, so minimally invasive endourology procedures such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery are preferred treatment options. CONCLUSIONS: Contemporary surgical treatment for paediatric urolithiasis typically uses minimally invasive modalities. Open surgery is very rarely indicated. PATIENT SUMMARY: Cases of urinary stones in children are increasing. Minimally invasive surgery can achieve high stone-free rates with low complication rates. After stone removal, metabolic evaluation is strongly recommended so that medical treatment for any underlying metabolic abnormality can be given. Regular follow-up with imaging such as ultrasound is required because of the high recurrence rates.

Compensatory Hypertrophy in Paediatric Patients with a Unilateral Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Compensatory hypertrophy is common in children with solitary functioning kidney, but it is unknown whether it also develops in children with unilateral partial reduction of kidney function. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess whether children with a unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) show compensatory growth of the unaffected kidney. Furthermore, we investigated whether the length of the unaffected kidney was related to the degree of split kidney function lost and other possible risk factors. Lastly, we studied a possible relationship with signs of kidney injury. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We retrospectively analysed clinical information from 194 children with a unilateral UPJO who participated in the Aetiologic research into Genetic and Occupational/environmental Risk factors for Anomalies in children (AGORA) data- and biobank. Data on kidney length, split kidney function, and other factors possibly associated with kidney length were extracted from electronic patient records. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Pearson's correlation coefficients between the split kidney function and unaffected kidney length were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with kidney length and signs of kidney injury. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Most children with a UPJO had an unaffected kidney length above the reference for age at the end of follow-up (median age 6.5 yr). A correlation with split kidney function was present only in children with a split kidney function of ≥60% in the unaffected kidney (r = 0.41). Aside from split kidney function, UPJO side was the only determinant of kidney length, while no associations between kidney length and kidney injury were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Compensatory growth was visible in most children with a UPJO after sufficient follow-up time and was correlated with split kidney function in children with a severe UPJO. Contralateral kidney length provided no clear prognostic value for developing kidney injury. Studies with more patients and additional biomarkers of kidney injury are needed to further personalise care. PATIENT SUMMARY: Children with obstruction of urine outflow in one kidney often had a larger contralateral kidney. However, the size of this kidney could not be used to predict which children would develop kidney injury.

CDH12 as a Candidate Gene for Kidney Injury in Posterior Urethral Valve Cases: A Genome-wide Association Study Among Patients with Obstructive Uropathies.

BACKGROUND: Posterior urethral valves (PUVs) and ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) are congenital obstructive uropathies that may impair kidney development. OBJECTIVE: To identify genetic variants associated with kidney injury in patients with obstructive uropathy. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We included 487 patients born in 1981 or later who underwent pyeloplasty or valve resection before 18 yr of age in the discovery phase, 102 PUV patients in a first replication phase, and 102 in a second replication phase. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Signs of kidney injury were defined as dialysis, nephrectomy, kidney transplantation, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 ml/min/1.73 m2, high blood pressure, antihypertensive medication use, proteinuria, and/or one kidney functioning at <45%. We used χ2 tests to calculate p values and odds ratios for >600 000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the discovery sample comparing patients with and without signs of kidney injury within 5 yr after surgery. We performed stratified analyses for PUV and UPJO and Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses in the discovery and two replication samples for the associated SNPs, and RNA and protein expression analyses for the associated gene in fetal tissues. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Despite the small and nonhomogeneous sample, we observed suggestive associations for six SNPs in three loci, of which rs6874819 in the CDH12 gene was the most clear (p = 7.5 × 10-7). This SNP also seemed to be associated with time to kidney injury in the PUV discovery and replication samples. RNA expression analyses showed clear CDH12 expression in fetal kidneys, which was confirmed by protein immunolocalization. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified CDH12 as a candidate gene for kidney injury in PUV. PATIENT SUMMARY: We found that variants of the CDH12 gene increase the risk of kidney injury in patients with extra flaps of tissue in the urethra (posterior urethral valves). This is the first report on this gene in this context. Our study provides interesting new information about the pathways involved and important leads for further research for this condition.

The prognostic value of testicular microlithiasis as an incidental finding for the risk of testicular malignancy in children and the adult population: A systematic review. On behalf of the EAU pediatric urology guidelines panel.

INTRODUCTION: The exact correlation of testicular microlithiasis (TM) with benign and malignant conditions remains unknown, especially in the paediatric population. The potential association of TM with testicular malignancy in adulthood has led to controversy regarding management and follow-up. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prognostic importance of TM in children in correlation to the risk of testicular malignancy or infertility and compare the differences between the paediatric and adult population. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a literature review of the Medline, Embase and Cochrane controlled trials databases until November 2020 according to the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. Twenty-six publications were included in the analysis. RESULTS: During the follow-up of 595 children with TM only one patient with TM developed a testicular malignancy during puberty. In the other 594 no testicular malignancy was found, even in the presence of risk factors. In the adult population, an increased risk for testicular malignancy in the presence of TM was found in patients with history of cryptorchidism (6% vs 0%), testicular malignancy (22% vs 2%) or sub/infertility (11-23% vs 1.7%) compared to TM-free. The difference between paediatric and adult population might be explained by the short duration of follow-up, varying between six months and three years. With an average age at inclusion of 10 years and testicular malignancies are expected to develop from puberty on, testicular malignancies might not yet have developed. CONCLUSION: TM is a common incidental finding that does not seem to be associated with testicular malignancy during childhood, but in the presence of risk factors is associated with testicular malignancy in the adult population. Routine monthly self-examination of the testes is recommended in children with contributing risk factors from puberty onwards. When TM is still present during transition to adulthood a more intensive follow-up could be considered.

EAU-ESPU pediatric urology guidelines on testicular tumors in prepubertal boys.

BACKGROUND: Testicular tumors in prepubertal boys account for 1-2% of all solid pediatric tumors. They have a lower incidence, a different histologic distribution and are more often benign compared to testicular tumors in the adolescent and adult group. This fundamental difference should also lead to a different approach and treatment. OBJECTIVE: To provide a guideline for diagnosis and treatment options in prepubertal boys with a testicular mass. METHOD: A structured literature search and review for testicular tumors in prepubertal boys was performed. All English abstracts up to the end of 2019 were screened, and relevant papers were obtained to create the guideline. RESULTS: A painless scrotal mass is the most common clinical presentation. For evaluation, high resolution ultrasound has a detection rate of almost 100%, alpha-fetoprotein is a tumor marker, however, is age dependent. Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was not a tumor marker for testis tumors in prepubertal boys. CONCLUSION: Based on a summary of the literature on prepubertal testis tumors, the 2021 EAU guidelines on Pediatric Urology recommend a partial orchiectomy as the primary approach in tumors with a favorable preoperative ultrasound diagnosis.

Are there any benefits of using an inlay graft in the treatment of primary hypospadias in children? A systematic review and metanalysis.

INTRODUCTION: Dorsal inlay graft urethroplasty (DIGU) has been described as an effective method for hypospadias repair with the proposed advantage of reducing the risk of complications. We aimed to systematically assess whether DIGU has any additional advantages over standard tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (TIPU) repair in children with primary hypospadias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement. The a priori protocol is available at the PROSPERO database (CRD42020168305). A literature search was conducted for relevant publications from 1946 until January 10, 2020 in seven different databases. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), comparative studies (TIPU vs DIGU) and single arm case series (>20 cases) of DIGU were eligible for inclusion. Secondary hypospadias, two-stage repairs, disorders of sex development, significant curvature of >30°, and a mean or median follow-up of less than 12 months were excluded. DISCUSSION: A total of 499 articles were screened and 14 studies (3 RCTs, 5 non-randomized studies (NRSs), and 6 case series) with a total of 1753 children (distal: 1334 (76%) and proximal: 419 (24%)) were found eligible. Mean follow-up of the studies was between 16 and 77 months. DIGU was found superior to TIPU in decreasing meatal/neourethral stenosis (p = 0.02, 95% CI 0.02-0.78). All other parameters were found comparable including overall complications, fistula and glans dehiscence rates. Success rates were similar among the groups ranging between 48% and 96% for DIGU and 43-96% in the TIPU group. The lack of standardization in the definition of complications and success was the major limitation of this study. CONCLUSIONS: Using an inlay graft during primary hypospadias repair decreases the risk of meatal/neourethral stenosis. However, current evidence does not demonstrate superiority of DIGU over TIPU in terms of treatment success and overall complication rates.

Update of the EAU/ESPU guidelines on urinary tract infections in children.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in children and require appropriate diagnostic evaluation, management and follow-up. OBJECTIVE: To provide a summary of the updated European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines on Pediatric Urology, which were first published in 2015 in European Urology. STUDY DESIGN: A structured literature review was performed of new publications between 2015 and 2020 for UTIs in children. The guideline was updated accordingly with relevant new literature. RESULTS: The occurrence of a UTI can be the first indication of anatomical abnormalities in the urinary tract, especially in patients with a febrile UTI. The basic diagnostic evaluation should include sufficient investigations to exclude urinary tract abnormalities, but should also be as minimally invasive as possible. In recent years, more risk factors have been identified to predict the presence of these anatomical anomalies, such as a non-E. Coli infection, high grade fever and ultrasound abnormalities. When these risk factors are factored into the diagnostic work-up, some invasive investigations can be omitted in a larger group of children. In addition to the treatment of active UTIs, it is also essential to prevent recurrent UTIs and consequent renal scarring. With the increase of antimicrobial resistance good antibiotic stewardship is needed. In addition, alternative preventative measures such as dietary supplements, bladder and bowel management and antibiotic prophylaxis could decrease the incidence of recurrent UTI. CONCLUSION: This paper is a summary of the updated 2021 EAU guidelines on Pediatric Urology. It provides practical considerations and flowcharts for the management and diagnostic evaluation of UTIs in children.

EAU-ESPU guidelines recommendations for daytime lower urinary tract conditions in children.

The objective is to review the literature related to lower urinary tract (LUT) conditions in children to conceptualize general practice guidelines for the general practitioner, pediatrician, pediatric urologist, and urologist. PubMed was searched for the last 15-year literature by the committee. All articles in peer-review journal-related LUT conditions (343) have been retrieved and 76 have been reviewed extensively. Prospective trials were few and the level of evidence was low. Most of the recommendations have been done by committee consensus after extensive discussion of literature reports. History taking is an integral part of evaluation assessing day- and nighttime urine and bowel control, urgency, and frequency symptoms. Exclusion of any neurogenic and organic cause is essential. Uroflowmetry and residual urine determination are recommended in all patients to evaluate bladder emptying. Urodynamic studies are reserved for refractory or complicated cases. Urotherapy that aims to educate the child and family about bladder and bowel function and guides them to achieve normal voiding and bowel habits should initially be employed in all cases except those who have urinary tract infections (UTI) and constipation. Specific medical treatment is added in the case of refractory overactive bladder symptoms and recurrent UTIs.Conclusion: Producing recommendations for managing LUTS in children based on high-quality studies is not possible. LUTS in children should be evaluated in a multimodal way by minimal invasive diagnostic procedures. Urotherapy is the mainstay of treatment and specific medical treatment is added in refractory cases.What is Known:• Symptoms of the lower urinary tract may have significant social consequences and sometimes clinical morbidities like urinary tract infections and vesicoureteral reflux. In many children, however, there is no such obvious cause for the incontinence, and they are referred to as having functional bladder problems.What is New:• This review aims to construct a practical recommendation strategy for the general practitioner, pediatrician, pediatric urologist, and urologist for LUTS in children. Producing recommendations for managing LUTS in children based on high-quality studies is not possible. LUTS in children should be evaluated in a multimodal way by minimal invasive diagnostic procedures. Urotherapy is the mainstay of treatment and specific medical treatment is added in refractory cases.

Clinical and surgical consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for patients with pediatric urological problems: Statement of the EAU guidelines panel for paediatric urology, March 30 2020.

The COVID-19-pandemic forces hospitals to reorganize into a dual patient flow system. Healthcare professionals are forced to make decisions in patient prioritization throughout specialties. Most pediatric urology pathologies do not require immediate or urgent care, however, delay may compromise future renal function or fertility. Contact with patients and parents, either physical in safe conditions or by (video)telephone must continue. The Paediatric-Urology-Guidelines-panel of the EAU proposes recommendations on prioritization of care. Pediatric-Urology program directors must ensure education, safety and attention for mental health of staff. Upon resumption of care, adequate prioritization must ensure minimal impact on outcome.

EAU/ESPU guidelines on the management of neurogenic bladder in children and adolescent part II operative management.

BACKGROUND: Treatment in children and adolescents with a neurogenic bladder is primarily conservative with the goal of preserving the upper urinary tract combined with a good reservoir function of the bladder. However, sometimes-even in childhood-conservative management does not prevent the development of a low-compliant bladder or overactive detrusor. MATERIAL & METHODS: After a systematic literature review covering the period 2000-2017, the ESPU/EUAU guideline for neurogenic bladder underwent an update. RESULTS: In these patients, surgical interventions such as botulinum toxin A injections into the detrusor muscle, bladder augmentation, and even urinary diversion may become necessary to preserve the function of the upper (and lower) urinary tracts. The creation of a continent catheterizable channel should be offered to patients with difficulties performing transurethral clean intermittent catheterization. However, a revision rate of up to 50% needs to be considered. With increasing age continence of urine and stool becomes progressively more important. In patients with persistent weak bladder outlets, complete continence can be achieved only by surgical interventions creating a higher resistance/obstruction at the level of the bladder outlet with a success rate of up to 80%. In some patients, bladder neck closure and the creation of a continent catheterizable stoma is an option. CONCLUSION: In all these patients close follow-up is mandatory to detect surgical complications and metabolic consequences early.

Are EAU/ESPU pediatric urology guideline recommendations on neurogenic bladder well received by the patients? Results of a survey on awareness in spina bifida patients and caregivers.

AIMS: The Paediatric Urology Guidelines Panel reports initial experience with patient involvement in spina bifida patient groups to gather information on their awareness of the guidelines and reflection of guideline recommendations. METHODS: The survey was delivered to spina bifida patients/parents via the national society groups in Turkey, Germany, and The Netherlands. Questions included demographic features, medical status, awareness, and agreement on the recommendations given in the guidelines and future expectations. RESULTS: A total of 291 patients from 3 countries responded to the survey. Mean age was 13.9 ± 12.2 years, male/female ratio 138/151, 75% of all surveys were completed by the caregivers. The medication was taken by 78% of patients (64% anticholinergics). Complete dryness rates for urine and stool were 24% and 47%, respectively. The agreement rates on the recommendations regarding urodynamics, intermittent catheterization, anticholinergics drug use, bowel management, and life-long follow-up were 97%, 82%, 91%, 77%, and 98%, respectively. Only 8% of responders were aware of the European Association of Urology/European Society for Pediatric Urology guidelines. The priorities of patients for future expectations were as the following: quality of life (QoL), surgical techniques, development of new medications and sexuality/fertility issues. Male spina bifida patients preferred new medications and sex/fertility issues more, whereas females favored QoL issues improvement more. CONCLUSIONS: Although the native language of the involved patients was different from English, awareness of guidelines was 8%. The general approval of the recommendations given in the guidelines is quite high. The national society groups showed a great interest to get involved in the creation of the guidelines to improve health care for spina bifida patients.

Antenatal dexamethasone before asphyxia promotes cystic neural injury in preterm fetal sheep by inducing hyperglycemia.

Antenatal glucocorticoid therapy significantly improves the short-term systemic outcomes of prematurely born infants, but there is limited information available on their impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes in at-risk preterm babies exposed to perinatal asphyxia. Preterm fetal sheep (0.7 of gestation) were exposed to a maternal injection of 12 mg dexamethasone or saline followed 4 h later by asphyxia induced by 25 min of complete umbilical cord occlusion. In a subsequent study, fetuses received titrated glucose infusions followed 4 h later by asphyxia to examine the hypothesis that hyperglycemia mediated the effects of dexamethasone. Post-mortems were performed 7 days after asphyxia for cerebral histology. Maternal dexamethasone before asphyxia was associated with severe, cystic brain injury compared to diffuse injury after saline injection, with increased numbers of seizures, worse recovery of brain activity, and increased arterial glucose levels before, during, and after asphyxia. Glucose infusions before asphyxia replicated these adverse outcomes, with a strong correlation between greater increases in glucose before asphyxia and greater neural injury. These findings strongly suggest that dexamethasone exposure and hyperglycemia can transform diffuse injury into cystic brain injury after asphyxia in preterm fetal sheep.

The effects of dexamethasone on post-asphyxial cerebral oxygenation in the preterm fetal sheep.

Exposure to clinical doses of the glucocorticoid dexamethasone increases brain activity and causes seizures in normoxic preterm fetal sheep without causing brain injury. In contrast, the same treatment after asphyxia increased brain injury. We hypothesised that increased injury was in part mediated by a mismatch between oxygen demand and oxygen supply. In preterm fetal sheep at 0.7 gestation we measured cerebral oxygenation using near-infrared spectroscopy, electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, and carotid blood flow (CaBF) from 24 h before until 72 h after asphyxia induced by 25 min of umbilical cord occlusion. Ewes received dexamethasone intramuscularly (12 mg 3 ml(-1)) or saline 15 min after the end of asphyxia. Fetuses were studied for 3 days after occlusion. During the first 6 h of recovery after asphyxia, dexamethasone treatment was associated with a significantly greater fall in CaBF (P < 0.05), increased carotid vascular resistance (P < 0.001) and a greater fall in cerebral oxygenation as measured by the difference between oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin (delta haemoglobin; P < 0.05). EEG activity was similarly suppressed in both groups. From 6 to 10 h onward, dexamethasone treatment was associated with a return of CaBF to saline control levels, increased EEG power (P < 0.005), greater epileptiform transient activity (P < 0.001), increased oxidised cytochrome oxidase (P < 0.05) and an attenuated increase in [delta haemoglobin] (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dexamethasone treatment after asphyxia is associated with greater hypoperfusion in the critical latent phase, leading to impaired intracerebral oxygenation that may exacerbate neural injury after asphyxia.

Preterm neonatal cardiovascular instability: does understanding the fetus help evaluate the newborn?

Preterm newborns, particularly very low birth weight newborns, frequently experience intermittent hypotension and/or hypoperfusion. Organ perfusion is largely distinct from systemic hypotension, suggesting that changes in underlying vascular tone are the major determinants of perfusion. Preterm fetuses have a remarkable anaerobic tolerance and ability to survive major insults with no or limited injury, balanced by relative immaturity of key autonomic responses. Exposure to hypoxia-ischaemia and infection trigger complex changes in vascular tone that evolve over many days and there is evidence that these are centrally controlled and linked, in part, with underlying organ metabolism. Hypoperfusion frequently occurs after hypoxia-ischaemia without organ injury occurring. Hypoxia-ischaemia, infection and many clinical interventions, such as steroid therapy and ventilation, can interact to increase or decrease the risk of brain injury.