Transition of urologic patients from pediatric to adult care: a preliminary assessment of readiness in spina bifida patients.

Objective: To assess the awareness and readiness of both spina bifida patients and parents regarding the transition process before transitioning, with a secondary aim that included identifying potential factors associated with successful transition.

Methods: All children aged ≥14 years requiring long-term care were prospectively enrolled. Questions designed by pediatric and adult urologists and an adolescent health specialist addressing the awareness of long-term follow-up and the desire to learn more about transitioning were administered by nursing staff at regularly scheduled clinic appointments.

Long-term urological impact of fetal myelomeningocele closure.

Purpose: Between 1997 and 2002 a large number of fetal myelomeningocele closures were performed at our institution. Previously early reports showed little improvement in neonatal bladder function after fetal back closure. We evaluated the long-term urological impact of this procedure.

Prospective evaluation of health related quality of life for pediatric patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Purpose: Clinical practices are increasingly proposing health related quality of life measures for informed treatment decisions. Dismembered pyeloplasty is an accepted standard therapy for ureteropelvic junction obstruction. This study evaluates health related quality of life in patients with ureteropelvic junction obstruction undergoing pyeloplasty.

Prospective, longitudinal evaluation of health related quality of life in the pediatric spina bifida population undergoing reconstructive urological surgery.

Purpose: Spina bifida, the most frequent permanently debilitating birth defect, results in major urological problems of voluntary bladder control and bowel function, which may impair quality of life. We prospectively assessed quality of life in patients with spina bifida using child and parent reports simultaneously. This study had 3 goals, that is to 1) document baseline health related quality of life in patients with spina bifida preoperatively, 2) study health related quality of life, reporting differences between parents and children, and 3) study changes in health related quality of life prospectively at preoperative and postoperative intervals.

High yield of urodynamics performed for refractory nonneurogenic dysfunctional voiding in the pediatric population.

Purpose: In the pediatric population urodynamic evaluation for nonneurological causes has been previously reported as a low yield endeavor when considering patients with a primary diagnosis of dysfunctional voiding. We evaluated the rate of clinically significant urodynamic findings that would drive therapeutic intervention for a spectrum of urological disorders in pediatric patients without neurological deficit in whom initial conventional management had failed.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who had undergone urodynamics in the last 7 years.