ABSTRACT

Diabetic autonomic bladder dysfunction is rare in the pediatric age group. An adolescent girl aged 16 years and 7 months, with type 1 diabetes mellitus since the age of 6 years, was diagnosed as having diabetic cystopathy. Ultrasonography of the urinary tract showed a distended bladder with normal kidneys. Laboratory evaluation revealed: normal serum urea, creatinine and electrolytes and elevated microalbuminuria. Urodynamic study demonstrated an impaired bladder sensation, increased cystometric capacity and detrusor arreflexia. Although more prevalent in adults and the elderly, autonomic bladder dysfunction must be considered in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.