Bladder Exstrophy
Bladder exstrophy (BE) is a rare birth defect where the bladder of the fetus develops outside the body. BE is often identified by ultrasound during pregnancy and treated with surgery within a few months after the baby’s birth. Surgery helps many children achieve bladder control and corrects any additional deformities.

Bladder exstrophy is more common in males than it is in females. Research from the American Journal of Medical Genetics finds that the total prevalence of BE is 2.07 in every 100,000 births.

BE causes the bladder and the urethra (the tube that ejects urine) to form outside of the body. The bladder may also be flat rather than round, and the exposed bladder and urethra are unable to store urine. Moreover, the skin, muscles, and hip joints at the lower part of the belly may not be joined correctly and there may be deformities in the genitals.