Urodynamic investigations that can be used to evaluate the distal urinary tract in pediatric patients are reviewed. The first part of the article focuses on practical considerations and on the usefulness of each method for evaluating children with neuropathic bladder or functional disturbances of micturition. The second part is a presentation of significant results from the literature or the author's personal experience. Urodynamic studies allow to determine the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying detrusor-sphincter dysfunction in children and to classify neuropathic bladders accurately (ie., based on neurological criteria). It is also useful for guiding therapeutic decisions.