Bladder Outlet Obstruction

What are the signs and symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction?

Bladder outlet obstruction is usually first noticed during a routine prenatal ultrasound. Signs of bladder outlet obstruction in a fetus include:

• Enlarged bladder
• Low amniotic fluid
• Abnormal kidney appearance

What tests are used to diagnose bladder outlet obstruction?

If we suspect an obstruction, we will order more tests, including a fetal MRI and a fetal echocardiogram to evaluate damage and rule out problems with the baby’s heart.

Bladder outlet obstruction can be related to other congenital and chromosomal abnormalities, so the team at the Colorado Fetal Care Center makes sure to address any other concerns or symptoms. They evaluate each baby with bladder outlet obstruction with imaging tests and genetic testing to look for other related conditions.

How is bladder outlet obstruction treated?

Treatment for fetal bladder outlet obstruction depends on the severity and type of obstruction, as well as the gestational age of the baby. Common treatment options include:

• Placing a shunt: Placing a shunt (small hollow tube) in the baby's bladder to allow the fluid to drain into the amniotic space
• Fetoscopic laser treatment: A procedure using a laparoscope (a small instrument with a tiny camera and light on the end) to see inside the womb and remove the blockage
• Placing an amnioport: Placing an amnioport (small device and tube) in the mother’s abdomen allows doctors to add fluid to the amniotic space, creating more of a cushion to surround the baby

Treatment for bladder outlet obstruction can help your baby thrive both before and after birth. At the Colorado Fetal Care Center, we are pioneering dedicated fetal intervention procedures to ensure the best outcomes for mothers and babies.

What can I expect after treatment for bladder outlet obstruction?

The long-term outlook for babies with bladder outlet obstruction varies. Usually, newborn babies are treated with surgery to either remove the blockage or to drain the urine from the bladder.

We follow babies closely to monitor bladder development and function. In some cases, older children with bladder outlet obstruction need to drain the bladder via a surgically created channel or may need surgery to make the bladder larger to hold urine safely. This is called augmentation cystoplasty. Depending on how the kidneys develop and grow, some children may also require a kidney transplant.

Why choose us for treatment of bladder outlet obstruction?

At Children’s Colorado, we have a multidisciplinary program for kids with congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT) such as bladder obstruction. Our experts have years of experience diagnosing and treating children with these conditions and we know how to identify issues early. We can offer the treatment your baby needs to stay healthy throughout childhood and adolescence.