What are bladder exstrophy, epispadias and cloacal exstrophy?
Classic bladder exstrophy is an abnormality of the lower part of the tummy where the bladder, the urethra (the tube that takes urine to the outside of the body), the pelvis and the genitalia are affected. The bladder is seen on the outside of the baby’s tummy, the urethra is open along the top side and not formed into a cylindrical shape as it should be, and the tummy button is in a lower position. The pelvic bones do not come together completely at the front (this is known as diastasis). In the boys the penis is tilted backwards and is shorter than normal (picture 1). In girls the clitoris is split (picture 2). Epispadias represents a less extensive form of the condition where the bladder is not visible outside the tummy. In cloacal exstrophy (the most severe form of the complex) the bowel is also affected.
Classic bladder exstrophy is an abnormality of the lower part of the tummy where the bladder, the urethra (the tube that takes urine to the outside of the body), the pelvis and the genitalia are affected. The bladder is seen on the outside of the babys tummy, the urethra is open along the top side and not formed into a cylindrical shape as it should be, and the tummy button is in a lower position. The pelvic bones do not come together completely at the front (this is known as diastasis). In the boys the penis is tilted backwards and is shorter than normal. In girls the clitoris is split. Epispadias represents a less extensive form of the condition where the bladder is not visible outside the tummy. In cloacal exstrophy (the most severe form of the complex) the bowel is also affected.
Classic bladder exstrophy is an abnormality of the lower part of the tummy where the bladder, the urethra (the tube that takes urine to the outside of the body), the pelvis and the genitalia are affected. The bladder is seen on the outside of the baby’s tummy, the urethra is open along the top side and not formed into a cylindrical shape as it should be, and the tummy button is in a lower position. The pelvic bones do not come together completely at the front (this is known as diastasis).
