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Posterior urethral valves: primary voiding pressures and kidney function in infants
Seppo Taskinen1, Jukka Heikkilä, Risto Rintala
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Helsinki, Finland. seppo.taskinen@hus.fi
The Journal of Urology
|June 23, 2009
Summary
High voiding pressures in infants with posterior urethral valves are not linked to reduced kidney function. Voiding pressures in these infants are comparable to healthy male infants and improve over time.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Nephrology
- Urodynamics
Background:
- Posterior urethral valves (PUV) are a common congenital anomaly in male infants.
- Elevated voiding pressures are a concern for potential kidney damage in infants with PUV.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between high voiding pressures and kidney function in infants diagnosed with posterior urethral valves.
Main Methods:
- Urodynamic evaluation was performed on 25 infants with PUV within 15 days of valve ablation.
- Maximum detrusor voiding pressures and bladder capacity were assessed.
- Kidney function was evaluated using serum creatinine and split renal function, compared to controls.
Main Results:
- Voiding pressures in infants with PUV were similar to healthy male infants and did not differ significantly before or after valve ablation.
- No association was found between initial voiding pressures and serum creatinine or split kidney function in the first year of life.
- A significant decrease in voiding pressures and increase in bladder capacity were observed at 1-year follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Voiding pressures in infants with posterior urethral valves are not higher than in other male infants.
- High postnatal voiding pressures are not associated with reduced kidney function in this population.
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