Specialties & Conditions Bladder Function Improvement Training (BFIT) Program
The Bladder Function Improvement Training (BFIT) Program is a comprehensive approach to managing dysfunctional bladder emptying (urinating) and includes expertise in the treatment of nighttime wetting. Our program also treats vesicoureteral reflux. Children referred to our program are evaluated and managed by our experienced urology nurse practitioners and urologists.
Learn more about nighttime wetting in our "Ask the Expert" video below.
Many children with dysfunctional voiding show poor pelvic floor muscle relaxation caused by “holding it.” It is a learned behavior that develops over time, leading to an abnormal urine stream and poor emptying of the bladder. While dysfunctional bladder emptying happens in the voiding phase, a child will often have symptoms when not voiding, such as wetting. In most children, voiding problems can be treated without surgery.
Signs that your child has dysfunctional bladder emptying include:
We work together with you and your child to develop an individualized treatment plan that meets your child’s specific needs. Your child will receive world-class clinical care combined with a compassionate approach to make them more comfortable during the process. We collaborate with patients and their families until a successful outcome is achieved.
Your first visit will include both you and your child. You will be asked to complete a three-day voiding diary (file is also available in Spanish) which provides important information about your child’s fluid intake and bathroom habits. If your child has had any testing done related to their bladder function, you should bring reports and CDs of that testing with you to your first visit. You can obtain the CDs from the facility that did the original testing.
Dysfunctional voiding is primarily diagnosed by reviewing a thorough patient history with emphasis on toilet habits. An abdominal x-ray may be used to evaluate for stool retention. Further evaluation may include pre-void and post-void ultrasounds to assess for residual urine. A uroflow with EMG test may be performed to evaluate the activity of your child’s pelvic floor muscles with voiding. This test may show poor pelvic floor muscle relaxation causing abnormal urine flow.
Treatment for dysfunctional voiding involves a multi-pronged approach individualized for each child. The components of treatment include:
The BFIT program is managed by experienced pediatric practitioners that are specialized in treating urologic conditions: Kavita Hodgkins, MD; Bridget McCarthy, MSN, APN, CPNP; Sharon McCarthy MSN, APN, CPNP; and Dawn Diaz-Saldano, MSN, APN, CPNP. Board-certified urologists and kidney disease specialists provide leadership for the program and oversee patient’s treatment plans.
If you’d like to request an appointment with one of our specialists, call 1.800.543.7362 (1.800.KIDS DOC®) or visit our Appointments page for more information.
Download our voiding diary as a PDF file in English or Spanish.
