About voiding improvement
Continence — the ability to control bladder and bowel function and to use the toilet as needed — is a vital skill for any child. Continence plays an important role in a child's life, affecting his:
- self-esteem
- social interactions
- school life and performance
- home life
- family relationships
Many children, however, experience problems achieving full continence (during the day, overnight, or both). The reasons can vary widely, but often include:
- recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- voiding dysfunction and dysfunctional elimination syndrome
- incomplete or problematic toilet training
When a child experiences one of these issues, clinicians can help through an approach known as voiding improvement.
How Boston Children's Hospital approaches voiding improvement
As part of our renowned Department of Urology, Boston Children's Hospital has a dedicated Center for Healthy Elimination and Bladder Rehabilitation (CHEER). CHEER's expert physicians and nurse practitioners take a comprehensive approach to helping children overcome voiding difficulties, offering the following services:
- customized treatment plans that take into account the needs and circumstances of the individual child and family
- comprehensive evaluations
- urodynamics and other tests
- a bowel program for children experiencing constipation
- counseling to reduce anxiety about voiding
- biofeedback training, a non-invasive tool with excellent success rates
- Reiki therapy
- acupuncture
Voiding Improvement | Programs & Services
Programs
Urodynamics Program
Program
The Urodynamics Program evaluates and treats bladder function problems in children.
Departments
Urology
Department
The Department of Urology diagnoses and treats diseases of the urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra) and male genitalia and reproductive tract in infants, children, and adolescents.
