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The transmission of vesicoureteral reflux from parent to child
H N Noe1, R J Wyatt, J N Peeden
1Department of Urology (Division of Pediatric Urology), LeBonheur Children's Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee.
Insights
Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is hereditary. Screening offspring of VUR patients revealed a 66% incidence, suggesting a need for genetic counseling and potential autosomal dominant inheritance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Medical Genetics
Background:
- Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is increasingly recognized as a hereditary and familial condition.
- While sibling incidence is significant, data on offspring is less established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of VUR in offspring of known VUR patients.
- To evaluate the genetic transmission patterns of VUR.
Main Methods:
- Prospective screening of 36 offspring from 23 childbearing-aged VUR patients using awake voiding cystourethrogram.
- Literature review of reported parent/child VUR cases.
Main Results:
- 66% (24/36) of offspring screened exhibited VUR.
- Literature review indicated a 65% incidence rate of VUR in offspring of known patients.
Conclusions:
- High incidence in offspring supports the need for screening and genetic counseling.
- Findings suggest reconsidering VUR's genetic transmission, potentially including an autosomal dominant pattern.
Abstract:
Vesicoureteral reflux is now recognized to be hereditary and familial. The incidence of reflux in siblings has proved to be significant but less is known about the incidence of reflux in the offspring of known reflux patients. In an ongoing prospective series of reflux screening we identified 23 patients of childbearing age with a known history of reflux and screened their 36 offspring with an awake voiding cystourethrogram. Of these 36 offspring 24 (66%) exhibited vesicoureteral reflux. The literature was also reviewed to determine the incidence of parent/child reflux from reported cases. This review revealed a 65% rate of reflux in the offspring of known patients. Our preliminary results coupled with those in the literature signify a need to screen the offspring of known reflux patients and suggest a rethinking of the genetic transmission for this trait. While vesicoureteral reflux could still be a multifactorial genetic trait with a major gene, consideration must also be given to an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern.
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