Children as young as 13 are being referred to a specialist clinic in Liverpool for treatment of a severe bladder condition linked to prolonged ketamine use. The clinic, established at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, focuses on ketamine-induced uropathy, also known as ketamine bladder, which involves damage to the bladder lining, urinary tubes, and kidneys. Symptoms of the condition include frequent urination, incontinence, blood in the urine, and chronic bladder pain.

Analysis of the first 60 patients treated at the clinic revealed the youngest was 13, with the average age being 14. Approximately two-thirds of those affected were girls, and a similar proportion came from economically deprived areas. The study also found that a considerable number of patients had additional challenges, including autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with one in five having experience in the care system. Emotional trauma was reported by nearly three-quarters of the young people seen.

Consultant paediatric urologist Harriet Corbett described the damage caused by ketamine as potentially devastating, highlighting that the drug and its breakdown products remain in the bladder for an extended period, contributing to ulceration, fibrosis, and possible irreversible harm. In severe cases, patients may require major surgery or dialysis. Some children have resorted to using incontinence pads or urinating into buckets at night due to impaired bladder control and pain.

Experts involved with the clinic emphasize the significance of understanding the wider context of these young patients’ lives, noting that ketamine use often does not occur in isolation. In addition to the physical impacts, many of the affected youth have experienced adverse life circumstances, which may contribute to their drug use and subsequent health problems.

The clinic operates with a non-judgmental approach, aiming to provide a safe environment where young people can openly discuss their experiences. Rachel Isba, a consultant in paediatric public health medicine, stressed the importance of examining the broader social and emotional factors linked to ketamine use and its health consequences. Researchers hope that by better understanding these elements, further harm can be prevented and more effective support strategies developed.

This emerging health issue underscores concerns about ketamine’s effects on young users, particularly in deprived communities, and highlights the need for prevention and specialized care to address the complex needs of affected children and adolescents.