Urinary-tract infection affects somatic growth in unilateral symptomatic hydronephrosis

To assess whether symptomatic unilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction (SUUPJO) affects somatic growth and, if so, the parameters associated with it, 61 children (54 boys and 7 girls) who underwent pyeloplasty for SUUPJO without any other associated urological abnormalities were retrospectively studied. Height was compared with standard growth charts and was considered to be affected if it was below 2.00 Z-score. Such children were considered group B and the rest group A. Mean (+/-SD) age at presentation and mean (+/-SD) split renal function (SRF) (%) of the affected kidney were 6.0 +/- 4.0 years and 27.3 +/- 13.2, respectively, for the entire group. Somatic growth was affected in 16 (12 boys, 4 girls) children (26.2%). Urinary tract infection (UTI) was the presenting symptom in 11 (69%) and 5 (11%) children in groups B and A, respectively. Impaired somatic growth had no association with age at presentation or SRF, but a significant association (P < 0.001) was found with UTI. The mean post-surgery height percentile (2.92 +/- 4.85) over a mean follow-up of 3.37 +/- 1.86 years was significantly (P < 0.005) better compared with pre-surgery height percentile (0.67 +/- 0.96) in group B, indicating catch-up growth after surgery. In SUUPJO, somatic growth is affected. Presentation with UTI has a significant association, and height significantly improves after surgery in these patients.