Bladder Outlet Obstruction
“Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) is a blockage of the bladder.It is sometimes also referred to as fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO). This blockage prevents the urine flow into the amniotic fluid. Because of this, the amniotic fluid level can become very low. Low amniotic fluid levels (oligohydramnios) impair the developing lungs causing them to become very small (hypoplastic). Babies with little or no amniotic fluid early in gestation (before 24 weeks) may have severely underdeveloped lungs. As a result, these babies have a poor chance of survival. Babies that have a moderate amount of fluid do better as their lungs are able to mature
If the blockage persists, kidneys will become damaged. The degree of kidney damage can sometimes be determined before birth.
Bladder outlet obstruction occurs in about 1 in 5,000 live births. The most common cause in a male fetus is abnormally formed tissue called posterior urethral valves.” Read More
