Botox Injections for Overactive Bladder in Children (Bladder Botox)

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What is bladder Botox?

Bladder Botox involves injections of botulinum toxin A into the bladder to treat patients with bladder conditions. Botox is simply the brand name for the drug botulinum toxin A. It’s often used as a beauty treatment to smooth wrinkles, but it can also be used as a medicine for muscle problems.

Bladder Botox can be used to treat bladder conditions in children, such as an overactive bladder, when other forms of treatment have not worked.

The treatment relaxes the bladder muscle by blocking a chemical that usually causes it to contract. When the bladder muscle is more relaxed, the bladder becomes more stretchy and can hold onto more liquid without needing to be emptied, reducing urgency to urinate and accidents.

At Welbeck, we offer bladder Botox treatment to paediatric patients aged 3+. For full information on our paediatrics service, please visit our main Paediatrics page.

What does bladder Botox involve?

At Welbeck, bladder Botox is carried out by our paediatric urologists as a day-case procedure in our state-of-the-art facilities.

The treatment is administered under a general anaesthetic, so your child will be asleep throughout the procedure.

To begin, a thin, flexible tube (a cystoscope) will be inserted through the urethra into the bladder. This tube is attached to a camera to allow the urologist to see inside the bladder, check that the bladder is suitable for the treatment and identify the best sites for the injections.

Typically, around 10 small injections are made into the bladder wall. The cystoscope will be removed, and the treatment is complete. The procedure usually takes around 30 minutes, but your child may be with us for up to 2 hours, including time for preparation and monitoring after the procedure.

What are the risks of bladder Botox?

Bladder Botox is considered safe for children, but the decision to use it will be carefully considered by our paediatric urologists based on your child’s specific diagnosis and response to other treatments.

The main side effect of bladder Botox is mild discomfort or irritation of the bladder in the days following the procedure.

Other possible side effects include:

problems passing urine
urinary tract infections (UTIs)
blood in the urine
in rare cases, flu-like symptoms and muscle aches

How to prepare for bladder Botox

Before your child is given their anaesthetic, they will be asked to go to the toilet to empty their bladder.

Otherwise, there’s no preparation required for your child to have bladder Botox. If there are any special requirements, your consultant will make you aware before the surgery.

Recovery and aftercare

After the treatment, our team will make sure your child has passed urine normally and that they feel well enough to go home. They may feel some slight discomfort or irritation in their bladder for a few days after treatment, and you may also notice a small amount of blood in their urine.

Caring for your child after bladder botox:

encourage your child to drink plenty of water
give them pain relief such as paracetamol if needed
your child can resume normal activities if they feel well enough

Get in touch if:

your child has trouble urinating, or their urine is cloudy
your child has a fever
there’s a large amount of blood in your child’s urine

A few days after the procedure, our team will arrange to see your child so they can check for any problems. They’ll ask questions about how they feel when they empty their bladder and may arrange for an ultrasound scan of your child’s bladder if needed. Around 6 weeks later, your child will have another follow-up appointment with our team.

The effects of bladder botox will usually be seen between 1 and 7 days after treatment and can last between 3 and 12 months.

How much does bladder Botox cost?

Please contact our Surgery Centre for pricing information.

Why choose Welbeck?

At Welbeck, our urologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient. Your child will receive the best possible care throughout their procedure in a welcoming and supportive environment where you both feel listened to.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure your child receives the treatment they need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Book a private appointment

If you would like to schedule a consultation for your child, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your child’s health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

FAQs

Can bladder Botox be repeated?

Yes, bladder Botox is only temporary, and the effects wear off over time, so treatment often needs to be repeated.

How successful is bladder Botox?

Around 60% to 80% of patients see an improvement in their symptoms after bladder Botox.

How long does bladder Botox last?

The effects of bladder botox typically last between 3 and 12 months. The effects gradually wear off over time, but they cannot be reversed once the injections are given.

Introduction

Treatment

Preparation

Risks

Essential Infomation