Patient case: Vesical Agenesis
A newborn boy is delivered at 38 weeks gestation via cesarean section due to concerns about low amniotic fluid levels detected during the mother’s prenatal ultrasound. Shortly after birth, the neonatologist notices that the baby has a distended abdomen and is not passing urine. The parents report an uneventful pregnancy until the last trimester when reduced fetal movement and abnormal ultrasound findings were detected.
On further examination, the baby has underdeveloped external genitalia, and there is no palpable bladder in the lower abdomen. An abdominal ultrasound confirms the absence of the urinary bladder, along with abnormalities in the renal system. The diagnosis of vesical agenesis is made, a rare congenital condition where the urinary bladder fails to develop.
The baby is transferred to a specialized neonatal unit for further evaluation and management. A multidisciplinary team, including pediatric urologists and nephrologists, is involved in planning long-term care, including surgical options and management of renal function. The family is counseled about the condition, potential complications, and the need for ongoing medical support.
A) Low amniotic fluid levels
B) High fetal heart rate
C) Abnormal fetal movement
D) Enlarged kidneys
A) Absence of the urethra
B) Distended abdomen with no urine output
C) Excessive crying
D) Enlarged bladder on examination
A) X-ray
B) CT scan
C) Abdominal ultrasound
D) MRI
A) Immediate bladder transplant
B) Multidisciplinary evaluation for surgical and renal function management
C) Observation without intervention
D) Administration of diuretics
