Among the top centers in the nation for primary and reoperative surgery
The Division of Pediatric Urology at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center is among the top centers in the nation for primary and reoperative surgery of bladder exstrophy, one of the most severe congenital birth defects. We provide comprehensive and compassionate care to diagnose and treat all childhood urological problems in patients around the world.
John’s Hopkins News
Conquering Cloacal Exstrophy
On May 5, 2010 — their five-year-wedding anniversary — Meagan Cline, a nurse, and Brandon Cline, a science teacher, went for a routine prenatal ultrasound. The Mississippi couple, who’d been struggling with infertility, was expecting a child and eager to find out if they were having a boy or a girl. Instead of the baby’s gender, the ultrasound brought a far less welcome revelation: the baby had cloacal exstrophy (CE), a rare birth defect.
John’s Hopkins on the A-BE-C Blog
Worth the Wait
After two years of delays due to Covid, and then another delay due to an Ebola outbreak in Uganda, the US team was finally able to hold our second workshop at Uro Care in Kampala. Our committed team treated, connected with and supported 23 families from all over Uganda.
A One-of-a-kind, Worldwide Collaboration
A-BE-C is so proud to be a part of the annual Bladder Exstrophy workshop which celebrated its 15th year in January!!! After two days of extensive discussion and five days of complex surgeries, I can’t thank Civil Hospital enough for their ongoing commitment to our beautiful children and families living with bladder exstrophy.
Resilience: Overcoming Obstacles to Impact Lives Around the Globe
Anna Artigas, daughter of Executive Director Pamela Artigas, is traveling with A-BE-C for the 2023 International Exstrophy Workshop in Uganda as part of a service project to provide support to teens with exstrophy.
An Exstrophy Journey to India
Rachel Althizer is traveling with A-BE-C for the 2023 International Exstrophy Workshop in Ahmedabad, India, as a social worker to assist children and families with exstrophy as they prepare for surgery.
Dr. John Gearhart Receives 2022 Humanitarian Award
A-BE-C recently presented its Richard W. Grady Humanitarian Award to John P. Gearhart, M.D., Johns Hopkins Professor of Pediatrics and Urology. The distinguished award was presented during the 2022 International Exstrophy Conference in Baltimore, MD.
Re-Released! 2016 International Exstrophy Conference Videos
Sessions from the 2016 conference focused on fertility and sexual health for those with bladder exstrophy, research updates, transitional care, how to advocate for school-age children and more.
Poster Presentation: The Uganda Exstrophy-Epispadias Complex Initiative
Developing a Program for Transference of Complex Surgical Reconstructive Skills
8 U.S. hospitals are best-in-class for bladder exstrophy
The Association for the Bladder Exstrophy Community (A-BE-C) wants to shorten the time it takes families to find complete and…
Failed Primary Exstrophy Closure Webinar Recording
Dr. Gearhart provides details about what makes a successful primary exstrophy closure, why some closures fail, how to prevent failed closures, the types of failures and the treatment of failed closures.