A 13-year-old's average bladder capacity is around 195 ml, according to the ABC (Age-Related Bladder Capacity) formula. This is the average micturition volume, meaning the typical amount of urine they would pass each time they use the bathroom.
Understanding Bladder Capacity
Bladder capacity isn't just about how much the bladder can physically hold; it also relates to how often someone needs to urinate. The provided research uses the ABC formula to estimate typical bladder capacity based on age.
Age and Micturition Volume
| Age | Micturition Frequency | Micturition Volume (ml) (acc. ABC-formula) |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 4-5x/day | 165 |
| 12 | 180 | |
| 13 | 195 | |
| 14 | 210 |
As you can see in the table, there's a clear increase in bladder capacity as a child grows older. By age 13, the average micturition volume (typical amount of urine passed per urination) is about 195 ml. This doesn't mean the bladder cannot hold more, but it indicates a comfortable and typical capacity for that age.
What This Means in Practice:
- A 13-year-old would typically empty about 195 ml of urine each time they urinate.
- Individual bladder capacity can vary due to factors like hydration levels, diet and physical condition.
- This average capacity can help identify potential issues if a child is urinating much more or less frequently.
The information from the Journal of Pediatric Urology highlights that these figures are based on the ABC formula and serve as a guide, not a strict rule. Individual variations are expected, but the data provides an excellent benchmark for expected bladder capacity.
