Children as Young as 13 Treated for Ketamine-Related Bladder Damage in UK

The clinic at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, the first specialist service of its kind for young people in the UK, analysed its first 60 patients. Their average age was 14, with those referred ranging from 13 to 15 years old. About two-thirds were girls, while a similar proportion lived in England’s most deprived communities.

The condition, known as ketamine-induced uropathy or “ketamine bladder”, can cause severe bladder pain, frequent urination, incontinence and blood in the urine. In advanced cases, damage to the bladder and kidneys can become irreversible and require major surgery or dialysis.

Researchers also found that 72 per cent of the young people had experienced emotional trauma during childhood, while 20 per cent had experience of the care system. Sixteen of the 60 patients had autism, ADHD or both.

Alder Hey said 12 patients had already been discharged after stopping ketamine and experiencing improvements, underlining the potential value of early intervention and specialist support.