Q79.4: Prune belly syndrome

Your abdominal muscles and urinary tract have not developed properly. This condition is congenital, which means you were born with it.

The abdominal wall protects the organs in the abdomen and is made up of several layers. The abdominal skin is located on the very outside. The abdominal muscles are further inside. The abdominal muscles are also important for breathing out and passing urine, for example. There are also several layers of connective tissue in the abdominal wall, such as aponeuroses.

The urinary passages include the ureters, bladder and urethra. Urine flows from both kidneys into the bladder via the ureters. The urethra channels the urine outward from the bladder.

Your abdominal muscles and certain organs tract did not develop properly before you were born. The precise reason for this is not known. If the abdominal wall is thin and flaccid, it is often possible to see the shape of the abdominal organs from the outside. The diameter of the ureters or urethra may be wider than normal, for example. Other organs, such as the lungs or intestine, may also have failed to develop properly. The condition can also affect bones, such as those in the hip or foot, for example.

The symptoms depend on how severely the organs are damaged. It is possible to only have mild symptoms. In some cases, though, this condition causes serious illness. The urinary tract is often susceptible to pathogens and may become inflamed as a result. Your kidneys may not work properly. There may be problems with urinating in some cases.