Clean Intermittent Catheterization for Home Management in Children with Myelomeningocele

Abstract

Sixty-two children with myelomeningocele and neurogenic bladders have been managed with clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) at home for periods of 6 to 42 months. Abnormal upper urinary tracts improved or stabilized in 83 per cent of the children. There was no renal deterioration in children who began with normal upper tracts while on CIC. Bacteruria was common, but clinically not a problem, unless ureterovesical reflux was present. Urinary con trol was improved in 66 per cent of the children. CIC is an effective and safe method to regularly empty the urinary bladder and is an alternative to supra vesical urinary diversion in many children with neurogenic bladders.