Persistent Motor Deficits Predict Long-Term Bladder Dysfunction in Children Following Acute Transverse Myelitis

Abstract

We determined whether motor and bladder recovery are correlated in children with acute transverse myelitis. From 1995 to 2004, 14 children (8 males and 6 females) with acute transverse myelitis were retrospectively evaluated to determine if there was a correlation between motor and bladder recovery following disease onset. During the acute phase of the disease, all patients experienced lower extremity motor deficit and bladder dysfunction. Full motor recovery was associated with full bladder recovery, and no motor recovery was related to no bladder recovery. Partial motor recovery was associated with either no or partial bladder recovery. Motor and bladder recovery were related in our patients with transverse myelitis. Children with no motor recovery did not experience bladder recovery. No significant bladder recovery was seen beyond 4 months in our patients.