Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) is a treatment option for neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunctions (NLUTD) and idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB) in adults. Recently, its use has gained popularity in paediatric urology. Transitional urology deals with adolescents affected by congenital urological issues, who mature into adulthood. The aim of this systematic review was to update the current knowledge on the use of BoNT-A in children and adolescents. METHODS: A comprehensive search in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was performed from articles published up to September 2024. Both prospective and retrospective single-cohort or comparative studies evaluating outcomes of interest were included. These consisted of the amelioration of urinary incontinence (UI), continence rates, improvement of urodynamic parameters (maximum detrusor pressure during voiding, maximum bladder capacity, and bladder compliance), and type and prevalence of adverse/side effects. Qualitative and quantitative data syntheses were provided. Moderators and meta-regression analyses were carried out as well. RESULTS: Forty-one full-text manuscripts were selected of which 26 focused on children with NLUTD, 13 on idiopathic OAB, and two on both conditions. Overall, 1521 patients were included of whom 715 were male, 646 female, and 160 of unknown sex. Mean age varied between 5.6 and 15.6 years. No studies specifically focused on transitional urology, despite patients up to at least 17 years of age being included. Several differences existed in design, type, dose, way of administration, outcomes measured and follow-up time; however, all studies independently showed an improvement of UI and urodynamic parameters with no major side/adverse events. Pooled analysis showed a mean rate of improvement in UI scores/episodes of 75.87% within a period of 3-6 months following BoNT-A treatment. Meta-regression analyses demonstrated a significant correlation between dryness rate and both patients' age (negative) and bladder compliance (positive). CONCLUSIONS: Several uncontrolled or comparative studies provided significative evidence of the clinical benefit and safety of BoNT-A administration in children in terms of UI relief and improvement of urodynamic parameters, with neurogenic aetiologies being the most investigated conditions. A reduced bladder compliance was identified as one of the potential predictors of poor response to BoNT-A. Moreover, the earlier the treatment was started the higher the success rate that was reached in terms of dryness/urinary continence achievement.