CHRONIC RETENTION OF URINE IN CHILDREN

Abstract

During the past five years a number of children¹suffering from chronic vesical urinary retention have come under my observation. Invariably the condition had been unrecognized, and the children were steadily deteriorating in health. As the picture presented by these cases seems to be quite characteristic, even though the etiology of the condition may vary from case to case, I have thought it well worth while to report this series and to call attention to the syndrome. The picture presented by these cases is very suggestive of chronic interstitial nephritis. The patients become pale and pasty. Frequently they are apathetic. Usually there is some difficulty in urination. The little patients complain of pain, or their parents note that they take a long time to complete the act. In some cases the straining is so great that the patient shows collapse symptoms with excessive pallor and weakness. On physical examination