Bladder exstrophy is a rare and complex condition. It happens when the bladder and nearby body parts don’t form right before birth.
In most cases, the bladder turns inside out and pushes through an opening in the lower belly. The skin, muscles and bones of the lower belly do not form right to hold the bladder inside the body. The front parts of the pubic bone are usually split.
Because the bladder is open, it does not hold or store urine. Babies with bladder exstrophy will constantly leak urine.
