SOMATIC FUNCTION, MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL FUNCTIONING IN 22 ADOLESCENTS WITH BLADDER EXSTROPHY AND EPISPADIAS

Abstract

The present multimodal outcome study revealed that adolescents with bladder exstrophy and epispadias had significant physical and mental problems. Genital malformation, and urinary and fecal incontinence may have a negative impact on mental health and psychosocial functioning. Our findings emphasize the need to include psychosocial experts on health care teams to reveal the amount of distress caused by these anomalies and to offer psychosocial support.