What is voiding dysfunction?
Voiding dysfunction is a broad term use to describe a voiding (urination) pattern that is abnormal for the child’s age. A normal bladder stretches easily as it fills with urine. It does not contract or increase in pressure as it fills. As the bladder contracts during normal voiding, the external urethral sphincter muscle should completely relax so that the urine released from the bladder flows smoothly, completely, and without interruption. A problem in bladder filling or emptying is called a voiding dysfunction. What causes voiding dysfunction in children? Voiding dysfunction can be the result of numerous causes: • Behavioral problems or poor habits (eg, infrequent voiding, poor toileting habits, having too much fun or being too busy to break to go to the bathroom, being fearful of urinating due to a past painful urinary tract infection, attention deficit disorder, psychological or emotional stressors) • Congenital (born with) problems in the physical anatomy of the urinary tract • Ac
