Functional Urinary Retention in Children and Adolescents: A Case Report
Abstract
Functional urinary retention is an uncommon but important cause of lower urinary tract symptoms in children and adolescents. We report three pediatric patients with retention despite negative evaluations for obstruction, infection, or neurological disease. In each case, psychosocial stressors (developmental anxiety, family
reinforcement, school distress) contributed. Multidisciplinary management improved symptoms in two patients; outcome was uncertain in one. These cases highlight the need to consider functional urinary retention when organic causes are excluded and to involve mental health professionals early.
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[21] Mazza M, Lisci FM, Marzo EM, De Masi V, Abate F, Marano G. Why do they do it? The psychology behind antisocial behavior in children and adolescents. Pediatr Rep. 2025;17(2):26. https://doi.org/10.3390/pediatric17020026
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[2] Artibani W, Cerruto MA. Dysfunctional voiding. Curr Opin Urol. 2014;24(4):330-5. https://doi.org/10.1097/
MOU.0000000000000074
[3] Fleming MQ, Oh H. Acute urinary retention in catatonia: an illustrative case report and literature review. J Acad Consult Liaison Psychiatry. 2025;66(2):175-82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaclp.2025.08.002
[4] Thariathu G, Chandran S, Thomas R, Raman V. Psychogenic urinary retention: a case report. J Indian Assoc Child Adolesc Ment Health. 2019;15(3):61-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/0973134220190305
[5] Gleicher S, Sebesta EM, Dmochowski RR. The psychosocial impact of urinary dysfunction. Urol Res Pract. 2024;50(3):167-74. https://doi.org/10.5152/tud.2024.23217
[6] Szymański JK, Słabuszewska-Jóźwiak A, Jakiel G. Fowler’s syndrome-the cause of urinary retention in young women, often forgotten, but significant and challenging to treat. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(6):3310. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18063310
[7] Raheem AA, Madersbacher H. Voiding dysfunction in women: how to manage it correctly. Arab J Urol. 2013;11(4):319-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aju.2013.07.005
[8] Panicker JN, Fowler CJ, Kessler TM. Lower urinary tract dysfunction in the neurological patient: clinical assessment and management. Lancet Neurol. 2015;14(7):720-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(15)00070-8
[9] Moussa M, Papatsoris A, Abou Chakra M, Fares Y, Dellis A. Lower urinary tract dysfunction in common
neurological diseases. Turk J Urol. 2020;46(Suppl 1):S70-80. https://doi.org/10.5152/tud.2020.20092
[10] Karkhanis DG, Winsler A. Somatization in children and adolescents: practical implications. J Indian Assoc Child
Adolesc Ment Health. 2016;12(1):79-115. https://doi.org/10.1177/0973134220160105
[11] Mohapatra S, Deo SJ, Satapathy A, Rath N. Somatoform disorders in children and adolescents. Ger J Psychiatry. 2014;17(1):19-24.
[12] Heimann P, Herpertz-Dahlmann B, Buning J, Wagner N, Stollbrink-Peschgens C, Dempfle A, et al. Somatic symptom
and related disorders in children and adolescents: evaluation of a naturalistic inpatient multidisciplinary treatment. Child
Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2018;12(1):34. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-018-0239-y
[13] Milligan F, Whittingham C, Granitsitotis V, Simpson H, Woodfield J, Carson A, et al. Chronic idiopathic urinary
retention: comorbidity and outcome in 102 individuals. J Psychosom Res. 2024;181:111663. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
jpsychores.2024.111663
[14] Levenson JL. The American Psychiatric Association Publishing Textbook of Psychosomatic Medicine and ConsultationLiaison Psychiatry. 3rd ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2018. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9781615371990
[15] Kocsis RN. Book review: diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5). Sage Publications. 2013;1-3.
[16] Fishbain DA. Secondary gain concept: definition problems and its abuse in medical practice. APS J. 1994;3(4):264-73. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1058-9139(05)80274-8
[17] Ben-Sasson A, Podoly TY, Lebowitz ER. The role of pediatric sensory over-responsivity and anxiety symptoms in the
development of family accommodations. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2025;56(1):134-41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-023-01547-4
[18] Campo JV. Annual research review: functional somatic symptoms and associated anxiety and depressiondevelopmental psychopathology in pediatric practice. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2012;53(5):575-92. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02535.x
[19] Blader JC, Garrett AS, Pliszka SR. Annual research review: what processes are dysregulated among emotionally dysregulated youth?-a systematic review. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2025;66(4):516-46. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.14126
[20] Kazdin AE. Parent Management Training: Treatment for Oppositional, Aggressive, and Antisocial Behavior in Children and Adolescents. New York: Oxford University Press; 2005.
[21] Mazza M, Lisci FM, Marzo EM, De Masi V, Abate F, Marano G. Why do they do it? The psychology behind antisocial behavior in children and adolescents. Pediatr Rep. 2025;17(2):26. https://doi.org/10.3390/pediatric17020026
[22] Reed B, Buzenski J, van Tilburg MA. Implementing psychological therapies for gastrointestinal disorders in pediatrics. ExpertRev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2020;14(11):1061-7. https://doi.org/10.1080/17474124.2020.1806055
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 11 No 1 (2026): January-February | |
| Section | Case Report(s) | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.18502/crcp.v11i1.22176 | |
| Keywords | ||
| Urinary retention Somatoform disorders Anxiety Children Adolescent Psychosomatic medicine | ||
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How to Cite
1.
Parvizi M, Hooman N, Kaviyani M. Functional Urinary Retention in Children and Adolescents: A Case Report. CRCP. 2026;11(1):45-50.
