Absent Fetal Bladder - Causes, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Introduction:

The absence of organs before birth is called agenesis. In human physiology, it is the failure of an organ to develop completely or partly during the embryonic development stage. Many forms of agenesis are consistently fatal, such as the absence of the brain (anencephaly), but agenesis of the following organs can cause slight disruption of normal function: the kidneys, bladder, testicles, ovary, and the thyroid. Agenesis often occurs because there is no embryonic tissue or adjacent embryonic tissue to give rise to the affected organ. At many stages of development, one structure triggers the formation of another. Removal of the first structure causes agenesis of the second. Other cases of aplasia are related to exposure to chemicals in the womb, such as those associated with Thalidomide drugs and Phocomelia.

What Is Absent Fetal Bladder?

An absent fetal bladder is a very rare congenital urogenital anomaly. The majority of living children with this congenital anomaly are female, and nearly all affected individuals have multiple associated bone and neural abnormalities, making them largely incapable of surviving after birth. Thus survival rate of this cognition is very rare.

What Are the Causes of Absent Fetal Bladder?

The causes of the absent fetal bladder are listed below:

• Gene alterations or mutations cause many cases of the congenitally absent bladder.

• Gestational diabetes.

• Multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, or more).

• Use of teratogenic drugs (drugs that are harmful to the fetus during pregnancy) like Thalidomide or Tetracycline.

• Having an inherited syndrome which may cause the bladder to be missing.

What Are the Risk Factors of Absent Fetal Bladder?

The risk of the fetus having an absence of bladder may increase due to the following reasons:

• Some teratogenic medications are ingested by the mother during pregnancy.

• Smoking by mother during pregnancy.

• Alcohol intake by the mother during pregnancy.

• Use of illicit drugs like Cocaine by the mother.

• Obesity.

• Any genetic conditions already present in the family.

• Multiple pregnancies.

What Are the Symptoms of an Absent Fetal Bladder?

The symptoms of an absent bladder in the fetus may have the following signs and symptoms are birth:

• Absence of urine retention, a constant trickling of urine.

• Presence of urinary tract infection.

• Failure to thrive in infants.

• Dehydration in the infant.

• Excessive crying in the infant.

• Reduced urine output.

• A buildup of toxins in the body.

• Increased blood pressure.

• Fever.

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

How Is Absent Fetal Bladder Diagnosed?

Imaging scans are conducted soon after birth by doctors to confirm the diagnosis. The child may show symptoms that require an imaging scan. Alternatively, a child may have an ultrasound for an unrelated problem, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), leading to an accidental diagnosis of a missing bladder. Imaging tests to diagnose an absent bladder include the following:

• Ultrasound of the Urinary Tract - Ultrasound of the urinary tract uses an ultrasound probe to image part of the urinary tract.

• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan - It is an imaging test that uses a special x-ray machine to make detailed pictures or scan areas inside the body.

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - It is a medical imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed pictures of organs and tissues inside the body.

What Is the Treatment of Absent Fetal Bladder?

The following methods may be necessary to treat the absence of bladder in the fetus:

• Surgical Treatment - In patients with an absence of a bladder, the initial treatment is to form a proper diversion and outlet of urine to prevent renal flow blockage and to save renal function, which may be followed by a complex construction of the urogenital tract at a later age when appropriate.

• Medications - Certain long-term medications like antibiotics to prevent infections and corticosteroids to manage immune system response maybe be necessary.

What Are the Complications of Absent Fetal Bladder?

The possible complications of the untreated absent fetal bladder are listed below:

• Severe urinary tract infections.

• Permanent kidney damage.

• A buildup of toxins in the body.

• Death.

How to Prevent Absent Fetal Bladder?

Unfortunately, the absence of a fetal bladder cannot be prevented. The following steps can be taken by pregnant women to reduce the chances of the fetus having an absence of bladder.

• Have 400 micrograms of folic acid daily.

• See a healthcare professional regularly.

• Avoid alcohol at any time during pregnancy.

• Avoid smoking cigarettes.

• Avoid marijuana and other drugs.

• Prevent infections.

• Avoid overheating and treat fever promptly.

• Keep diabetes under control.

• Talk to a doctor before taking any medications.

Conclusion

Congenital defects are structural changes that are present at birth and can affect almost any part of the body (heart, brain, feet, etc.). They can affect the body's appearance, function, or both. Congenital defects range from mild to severe. The health of a child affected by a birth defect is highly dependent on the organ or body part affected and the extent to which it is affected. A person's life expectancy may or may not be affected. Agenesis is the total absence of an organ or lack of specific cells within an organ. The absence of a bladder is a very serious anomaly of the fetus that may lead to lower chances of survival of the fetus after birth. Immediate surgical intervention to manage this congenital condition may be essential to save the life of the fetus.