Bladder and Cloacal Exstrophy

Clinical Vignette Assessment

Question 1 of 10 Case 1
Clinical Case Case 1

A 2-day-old full-term male infant is transferred to your pediatric surgery service. The pregnancy was uncomplicated, and delivery was vaginal. On physical exam, the infant is vigorous with normal vital signs. You note a bright red, moist, and exquisitely sensitive area on the lower abdomen. The umbilicus appears low-set. The pubic bones are widely separated, and the penis appears short with a dorsally opened urethral plate (epispadias). The anus is anteriorly displaced but otherwise normal. The infant has voided small amounts of clear urine from the exposed tissue.

Q1: What is the MOST appropriate initial step in the management of this infant's exposed abdominal tissue?