What is the difference between epispadias in a boy as compared with a girl

Elder JS. Anomalies of the bladder. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Exstrophy-epispadias complex. Campbell-Walsh Urology. Stephany HA. Ost MC. Urologic disorders. Updated by: Sovrin M. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Editorial team. Exams and Tests. Signs include: Abnormal opening from the bladder neck to the area above the normal urethra opening Backward flow of urine into the kidney reflux nephropathy , hydronephrosis Urinary incontinence Urinary tract infections Widened pubic bone Tests may include: Blood test Intravenous pyelogram IVP , a special x-ray of the kidneys, bladder, and ureters MRI and CT scans, depending on the condition Pelvic x-ray Ultrasound of the urinary system and genitals.

People who have more than a mild case of epispadias will need surgery. Contact the Department of Urology Fax Bladder Exstrophy and Epispadias. What is bladder exstrophy? Bladder exstrophy usually involves several systems within the body, including: the urinary tract the reproductive tract external genitalia pelvic skeletal muscles and bones in rare cases, intestinal tracts are involved.

Bladder exstrophy in boys. Bladder exstrophy in girls. The commitment and compassion with which we care for all children and families is matched only by the pioneering spirit of discovery and innovation that drives us to think differently, to find answers, and to build a better tomorrow for children everywhere.

Kevin B. Churchwell, President and CEO. From this opening, a groove runs along the top of the penis to the end. The epispadias is classified based on the location of the meatus on the penis.

The position of the meatus can help predict the how well the bladder stores urine. If the meatus is close to the base of the penis and the abdominal wall , the bladder sphincter is likely affected and it won't hold urine. In most cases of penopubic epispadias, the bones of the pelvis don't come together in the front. The bladder sphincter doesn't close all the way since it's shaped more like a horseshoe than a ring. Because of this, urine leaks out. Most boys with penopubic epispadias, and about 2 of 3 with penile epispadias leak urine with stress.

Things like coughing and strenuous effort. Most will need to have the bladder neck fixed with surgery. Almost all boys with glanular epispadias have a good bladder neck. They can hold urine and toilet train normally. Still, the bend and abnormal opening of the penis will need to be fixed with surgery. Epispadias is much more rare in girls, with only 1 of , cases.

Girls who are affected have pubic bones that are separated to different degrees. This keeps the clitoris from connecting in the middle, resulting in 2 halves of the clitoris. The bladder neck is also almost always affected. Girls with epispadias likely leak urine with stress. In most cases, early surgical treatment can fix these problems.

See More See Less. The urinary tract is like a plumbing system. It has special "pipes" that allow waste to flow through. The urinary tract is made up of 2 kidneys, 2 ureters, the bladder, and the urethra. The kidneys act as a filter system for the blood.

They remove toxins and keep useful protiens, sugar, salts, and minerals. Urine is the waste product. It is made in the kidneys and flows down two, 10 to inch-long tubes called ureters. The ureters are about a quarter inch wide and have muscled walls. They push urine into the bladder.

The bladder can swell to store the urine until you're ready to drain it. It also closes the path so urine can't flow back into the kidneys. In males, the urethra is long. It starts at the bladder and runs through the prostate gland, perineum the space between the scrotum and the anus , and penis.

In females, the urethra is much shorter. It runs from the bladder in front of the vagina and opens outside the body. Your urethra has muscles called sphincters. The sphincter complex also called the bladder neck is a ring-shaped muscle wrapped around the urethra. They help keep the urethra closed so urine doesn't leak before you're ready. These sphincters open up when the bladder contracts so you can release urine. Most cases of epispadias are diagnosed at birth during physical examination of the newborn.

In mild cases of epispadias, the condition can go unnoticed until parents note urine leaks after potty training. The way the organs form in a baby during pregnancy is very complicated. Certain steps must occur in a finely timed order. Most often, if there is one defect in an organ, there will also be other defects.

Only rarely does epispadias occur alone. There will also often be issues with the bladder. In rare cases, there can also be defects in the large intestine.

How the epispadias affects the genitals varies. In some boys, it can be just a small dimple on the tip of the penis above the normal urethral opening. With girls, it could be a double clitoris. If the urethra or bladder is involved, the epispadias is usually more severe.