Associated Conditions of Cerebral Palsy: Bowel and Urinary Issues
Bowel and Urinary Issues
Children with cerebral palsy can have a variety of bowel and bladder conditions. Among the prevalent ones are urinary tract infections, lack of bladder control, and constipation.  Seizures may cause the loss of bladder and bowel control, although in this case the cause is the seizure, not cerebral palsy.

Urinary Tract Infections
For children with cerebral palsy, the primary contributor to urinary tract infections is vesicoureteral reflux.  When the bladder attempts to empty, some of the urine gets pushed back up toward the kidneys.  The condition can cause kidney damage. The bladder cannot empty completely, leaving urine in the bladder, where bacteria can multiply and cause an infection.  These problems are most prevalent when brain damage has led to poor bladder functioning.

Incontinence - Lack of Bladder Control
Incontinence is the inability to prevent the accidental evacuation of feces or urine.
There are six primary steps involved with learning to control one's bladder functions:
  1. An awareness of the bladder when it contracts.
  2. The ability to feel when the bladder is full and plan ahead to make a trip to the bathroom.
  3. The ability to control and postpone the emptying reflex until the time is right.
  4. The ability to be aware when the bladder is completely empty.
  5. The ability to voluntarily hold urine even when the bladder is full by contracting the muscles of the pelvic floor.
  6. The ability to inhibit emptying of the bladder during sleep.

Children who are developmentally delayed (another associated condition of cerebral palsy) can take longer to toilet train than other children.

Incontinence may also be caused by a physical problem of the nerves going to the bladder, which can cause urine to leak out slowly.  This specific nerve problem is an uncommon condition and is much more likely to occur in children with spina bifida.

Constipation
Constipation is a common problem with any child, but children with cerebral palsy who are confined to bed or whose bodies get little exercise are more likely to suffer from this problem.  Constipation can also occur when a patient is not drinking enough fluids.

Constipation can become a serious health problem for individuals with cerebral palsy.  If ignored, a blockage or impaction can form.  The large mass of dry stool is difficult to pass, and liquid feces escape around the blockage, causing soiling.  Medical assistance may be needed.

If a child with cerebral palsy has normal intelligence and is having difficulty with toilet training, and there is no physical reason for having a problem, other possibilities should be considered.  The child with cerebral palsy may experience fear when using the toilet.  They may fear falling in or falling off.  Cerebral palsy by itself is very rarely the cause of a failure to be toilet trained or a failure to have bladder control.

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Associated Conditions of Cerebral Palsy: Hearing, Depression, Breathing Problems,
Drooling, ADHD, ADD, Bowel issues, Swallowing, Epilepsy, Speech Problems.