[Importance of pre- and post-natal ultrasonic examination in neonatal hydronephrosis]

The widespread use of obstetric and neonatal sonography has resulted an increasing number of neonatal hydronephrosis, and some of them are asymptomatic. From November 1987 to May 1990 49 neonates with hydronephrosis or multicystic dysplastic kidney were seen. The most common conditions found were obstruction of the distal ureter (10), multicystic dysplatic kidney (12). Fifty-three percent of the cases were discovered on fetal screening during obstetric sonography, seven of them were asymptomatic at birth, but 4 of the asymptomatic babies underwent operation in the neonatal period. Nine of the postnatal diagnosed cases were incidental findings. The major benefit of prenatal echography is to allow early recognition of major uropathic conditions before postnatal infection worsens the prognosis. A correct postnatal ultrasound diagnosis was established in all cases.