Bladder outlet obstruction occurs in approximately one in 4,000 live births and is more common in males than in females. The condition is sometimes called lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) or obstructive uropathy. It comes in a variety of forms:

• Urethral atresia − a complete obstruction of the urethra
• Posterior urethral valves (PUV) − when an abnormal fold of tissue in the urethra blocks urine from flowing freely (only in males)
• Triad syndrome − when a mid-portion of the urethra is narrowed, making it very difficult for urine to pass
• Cloacal malformation

Babies born with bladder outlet obstruction can experience mild to severe problems. Among the more severe are kidney failure and respiratory insufficiency, a condition in which the lungs cannot keep up with the body’s oxygen needs.

The Cincinnati Children's Fetal Care Center offers comprehensive diagnostic tests and the latest treatments for bladder outlet obstruction. Just as important, our team of specialists takes time to explain test results, answer questions and discuss treatment options. We understand that parents are facing difficult decisions, and we provide as much support as possible every step of the way.

Bladder outlet obstruction can be diagnosed using ultrasound, which can provide details about the urinary tract and the amount of amniotic fluid in the womb. Additional tools can help refine the diagnosis. They include:

• Tests of the baby’s urine to evaluate kidney function
• Fetal MRI to detect changes not apparent on ultrasound and to diagnose associated physical abnormalities
• Chromosome analysis
• Echocardiography to detect any structural heart disease 

The Fetal Care Center provides testing, a definitive diagnosis and a treatment plan, all within two to three days. After diagnostic tests have been completed, patients meet with members of our multidisciplinary team, which includes:

• Maternal-fetal medicine specialist
• Pediatric and fetal surgeon
• Pediatric nephrologist
• Pediatric colorectal surgeon
• Pediatric renal transplant surgeon
• Pediatric urologist
• Neonatologist
• Genetics counselor
• Social worker 

Our specialists talk with the patient about what the test results mean, what treatment options might be available, and the baby’s immediate, short- and long-term prognosis. Referring physicians are welcome to participate via video teleconferencing.

The Fetal Care Center offers three fetal surgical options for patients who have received a diagnosis of bladder outlet obstruction. They include fetal vesicoamniotic  shunting, fetoscopic surgery to release the bladder outlet obstruction and open fetal vesicostomy. In addition, amnioport infusion may be offered as an adjunct therapy. 

Babies most likely to benefit from surgery are those who are at risk of kidney injury and impairment of lung development due to bladder obstruction, but have not yet experienced irreversible kidney damage.  

Deciding which treatment option to pursue, if any, is an emotional experience. The Fetal Care Center offers extensive counseling to patients about the diagnostic findings and treatment options, as well as a birth plan and the baby’s long-term prognosis. Our team is dedicated to giving parents the information and time they need to understand all of the various options and make the most appropriate decision for their family.  

Fetal Vesicoamniotic Shunting

This is the most common operation for bladder outlet obstruction.  It involves placing a shunt to allow urine to drain from the bladder into the amniotic space. This allows urine to bypass the obstruction and improves the baby’s lung development directly. However, kidney function is not always preserved. 

Fetoscopic Surgery

This surgery is sometimes recommended for babies prior to 20 weeks’ gestation who have posterior urethral valve (PUV) and whose bodies have lost the ability to produce adequate urine to maintain normal amniotic fluid volume. Fetoscopic surgery, sometimes called fetoscopic cystoscopy, involves creating small surgical openings that allow placement of a fiberoptic endoscope (camera) and an instrument to cut away the tissue causing the obstruction. This relatively new innovation is limited to very few patients.  

Open Fetal Surgery for Vesicostomy   

This procedure is offered to a small number of carefully selected patients. Vesicostomy can correct the condition and prevent ongoing injury to the developing kidney. In fetal vesicostomy, the fetal abdomen is opened below the umbilical cord insertion. The bladder is opened and sutured to the fetal skin, allowing urine to flow properly. 

Serial Amniotic Fluid Infusion via Amnioport   

This therapy is sometimes recommended for patients whose baby does not produce adequate amounts of urine during fetal development. This novel therapy involves placing a port to allow repeated fluid infusion into the amniotic sac to replenish amniotic fluid throughout pregnancy as a way to support lung development. Following delivery, dialysis may be offered if indicated until a kidney transplant can occur in selected cases.

Patients who undergo fetal surgery for bladder outlet obstruction must be monitored very closely until their baby is born. Many return home and are followed by their local care team. Others choose to remain in the Cincinnati area until their baby is born so that they can remain under the care of physicians at the Fetal Care Center. 

Following delivery, babies with bladder outlet obstruction are transferred to a neonatal intensive care unit, such as the NICU at Cincinnati Children’s. There, pediatric neonatologists, urologists and nephrologists assess the baby’s condition and consider next steps. Treatment options depend on the type of obstruction, but in the early stages can include endoscopic surgery to remove PUVs and, in some cases, dialysis. Once the baby is older, options may include reconstructive surgery on the urinary tract. In severe cases, patients may require a kidney transplant. 

Children with bladder outlet obstruction do not always grow and develop normally. Our team begins to address this concern in the NICU by working closely with renal dietitians and families to optimize the child’s growth through nutrition. Sometimes this involves the use of a feeding tube. Children with bladder outlet obstruction also are more susceptible to kidney infections and kidney failure. Some may experience long-term breathing problems, bladder dysfunction and kidney issues. Nephrologists, pulmonologists, pediatric surgeons and urologists at Cincinnati Children’s provide highly specialized, long-term follow-up care for these children. 

Our physicians have evaluated more than 600 patients for bladder outlet obstruction. Extensive experience and expertise allow our team to treat the most complex cases.

Data based on patients cared for at the Cincinnati Children's Fetal Care Center Feb. 1, 2004, through June 30, 2023.