children s health issues
Bladder Defects
Failure of the bladder to close properly
When the bladder is first developing in the fetus, it normally closes to form a muscular sac. Rarely, the bladder does not completely close and it opens out onto the surface of the abdomen (called bladder exstrophy), allowing urine to drip through the abdominal wall rather than out the urethra. Children who have bladder exstrophy may also have an abnormally formed urethra and external genital organs ( Structure of the Male Reproductive System , A similar disorder involves the connection between the bladder and the bellybutton (umbilicus) that is present when the fetus is first developing. This connection is called the urachus. Normally this connection closes before birth. If this connection remains open (called a patent urachus), urine drains out of the bellybutton. In both disorders, infants are at risk of urinary tract infections. Doctors do surgery to close the abnormal openings and repair the bladder if needed. Surgery may be done shortly after birth or may be delayed. 