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Paediatrics: Congenital urinary tract anomalies
Increasingly, urinary tract anomalies are being detected earlier by the use of routine antenatal ultrasound scans.
Congenital urinary tract anomalies
- Increasingly, urinary tract anomalies are being detected earlier by the use of routine antenatal ultrasound scans.
- Renal anomalies account for about 20% of all significant abnormalities found on detailed scans at 18–20wks gestation.
- Close liaison between obstetricians, paediatrician, and surgeon with regard to counselling the parents and follow-up is vital.
- Centres should have a postnatal investigation protocol as the majority of infants will be asymptomatic.
Amniotic fluid volume
- Oligohydramnios: low urine production or obstruction of urineexcretion that may lead to pulmonary hypoplasia.
- Polyhydramnios: polyuria.
Renal size
- Enlarged: cystic kidneys (any cause); hydronephrosis.
- Small: dysplasia.
Hydronephrosis
Unilateral: pelviureteric junction (PUJ) or vescioureteric junction (VUJ) obstruction; vescioureteric reflux (VUR).
- Bilateral: bladder outlet obstruction, e.g. PUV, VUR, prune bellysyndrome.
Renal cysts
- Multicystic dysplastic kidneys (MCDK).
- Polycystic kidney disease (PCKD).
- Cystic dysplasia.
Abnormal renal parenchyma
Echogenic:
- cystic kidneys (any cause);
- congenital nephrotic syndrome (may have polyhydramnios, large placenta).
Investigations
If a major problem is suspected (e.g. PUV, bilateral severe hydronephrosis, palpable kidneys), a renal US should be performed after 24hr of age. Otherwise routine postnatal investigation with U/S (at 2–4wks), MCUG (at 4–8wks), and radionuclide scan (at 8–12wks of age).
Clinical management
In the postnatal period, ensure male infants have voided and that a good urinary stream is observed. The initial postnatal US finding guides further management.
- MCUG only routine if strong suspicion of VUR (e.g. dilated ureters/ intermittent dilatation of pelvis). Will need cover with antibiotics (e.g. oral trimethoprim) for the procedure.
- Give antibiotic prophylaxis (e.g. oral trimethoprim) to all babies with suspicion of VUR.
- Radionuclide scan depends upon lesion:
- DMSA if the function of kidney required (e.g. MCDK, VUR);
- MAG-3 renogram if ‘obstruction’ being evaluated (e.g. PUJ, VUJ).
Most infants with hydronephrosis can be conservatively managed if they are asymptomatic.