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Warning-sign checks

Epispadias: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Get emergency help for inability to pass urine, severe lower abdominal pain with a swollen bladder, heavy bleeding, or signs of serious illness such as marked drowsiness, breathing difficulty, or poor responsiveness.

    Follow the surgical team’s emergency instructions after a recent operation.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    If a newborn appears to have an unusual urethral opening, arrange prompt medical assessment.

    This is usually not an emergency when the baby is comfortable and passing urine, but early referral helps with testing and treatment planning.

    Contact the usual care team promptly for:

    • New leakage or a major change in the urine stream
    • Pain or burning during urination
    • Repeated wetting after a period of dryness
    • Cloudy, bloody, or unusually strong-smelling urine
    • Redness, discharge, or increasing swelling around a surgical site
    • A catheter that is leaking, blocked, or not draining as expected

    Seek urgent medical care for fever with urinary symptoms, particularly in a young baby or someone with known kidney or bladder problems.

    Routine follow-up is still important when there are no urgent symptoms.

    These appointments monitor kidney health, bladder pressure, growth, continence, and the results of reconstruction.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Epispadias. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.