Evaluation and Lifetime Management of the Urinary Tract in Patients with Myelomeningocele

In the United States, there are an estimated 25,000 children ages 0 to 19 years and about 166,000 of all ages currently affected by spina bifida. Management is multimodal and can be complex. Management techniques vary throughout a child's lifetime, but the goals remain the same: prevention of urinary tract infections and establishing acceptable continence. Continence is addressed as the child reaches school age. Additional considerations such as development of urolithiasis and the associated burden are highlighted in adolescence and into adulthood. These complex medical needs become more challenging as patients age and need to transition to adult providers.