Voiding disorders can be classified in three basic types: failure to store, failure to empty, or a combination of the two. These conditions can arise from a myriad of different causes ranging from congenital or acquired spinal cord abnormalities, to neurologic disorders, to mechanical blockages like urethral valves.
We also see voiding disorders in children with bladder instability or abnormal pelvic floor activity for idiopathic, i.e. unknown, reasons. The most dire risk of voiding disorders is eventual degradation of kidney function from abnormally high bladder pressure and/or recurrent urinary tract infections. However, degradation of quality of life is also an extremely important component in the treatment of voiding disorders that should not be underestimated.