What is the most common cause of hydronephrosis in childhood?
About one percent of children are born with hydronephrosis. The most common cause is obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction – where the ureter meets the bladder. The baby’s ureter may be too narrow at that spot, or blood vessels may be crossed over the ureter, causing a kink that slows or blocks the flow of urine.
What is the most common cause of hydronephrosis in infants?
Among all birth defects that cause hydronephrosis in fetuses and newborns, UPJ obstruction and VUR are most common. Lower urinary tract obstruction. In lower urinary tract obstruction, also called bladder outlet obstruction, a blockage is present in the urethra or where the bladder joins the urethra.
What is hydronephrosis in kids?
Hydronephrosis is a condition, affecting about 1 in 100 babies, where urine overfills or backs up into the kidney, causing the kidney to swell. Infants with hydronephrosis may be diagnosed before (prenatal) or after (postnatal) birth.
Is hydronephrosis an emergency?
Hydronephrosis is a true emergency in patients with only one kidney and should the person believe that the lone kidney is at risk, urgent medical care should be accessed.
Is hydronephrosis more common in boys or girls?
Hydronephrosis is more often seen in males than females. Some studies show that as many as 2 percent of all prenatal ultrasound examinations reveal some degree of hydronephrosis, making it one of the most commonly detected abnormalities in pregnancy.
What problems might a child encounter from unresolved hydronephrosis?
Children with hydronephrosis may develop a UTI. The risk of urinary infection increases the severity of hydronephrosis. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection can include strong urge to use the bathroom, pain with urination, cloudy or smelly urine, back pain, and fever.
Can hydronephrosis improve?
Although surgery is sometimes needed, hydronephrosis often resolves on its own. Mild to moderate hydronephrosis. Your doctor may opt for a wait-and-see approach to see if you get better on your own. Even so, your doctor may recommend preventive antibiotic therapy to lower the risk of urinary tract infections.
What are the stages of hydronephrosis?
Hydronephrosis can vary in severity. Typically, your doctor will describe your child’s hydronephrosis as mild, moderate or severe. Sometimes hydronephrosis is given a grade of 1, 2, 3 or 4, with 1 representing very minimal dilation and 4 representing severe dilation.
Does hydronephrosis run families?
Minimal hydronephrosis is not genetic and is not hereditary. However, hydronephrosis may coincidentally occur in future pregnancies. If UPJ obstruction is determined to be the cause of the hydronephrosis, the chances for future children with the same obstruction may be as high as 50 percent.
Can hydronephrosis be treated without surgery?
Hydronephrosis is usually treated by addressing the underlying disease or cause, such as a kidney stone or infection. Some cases can be resolved without surgery. Infections can be treated with antibiotics. A kidney stone can pass through by itself or might be severe enough to require removal with surgery.
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