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Published on: August 28, 2020
Urinary tract dilatation in constipated children
1Department of Paediatric Radiology, Southampton General Hospital.
Insights
Investigating upper urinary tract abnormalities in children with constipation revealed a high incidence of renal tract dilation. However, fewer than 12% of children with non-organic constipation underwent necessary intravenous urogram investigations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Urology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Constipation is a common pediatric issue.
- Upper urinary tract abnormalities can be associated with constipation.
- Surgical investigation is sometimes required for pediatric constipation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively investigate the prevalence of upper urinary tract abnormalities in children with constipation.
- To assess the diagnostic workup for these abnormalities, particularly the use of intravenous urograms.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 180 children investigated surgically for constipation over a 5-year period.
- Analysis of diagnostic imaging, specifically intravenous urograms, for upper renal tract abnormalities.
Main Results:
- A high incidence of upper renal tract dilatation was observed in children who underwent intravenous urograms.
- Only 12% of patients with non-organic constipation had undergone an intravenous urogram investigation.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant association between constipation and upper urinary tract dilatation in pediatric patients.
- Diagnostic investigation, including intravenous urograms, may be underutilized in children with non-organic constipation.
Abstract:
Abnormalities of the upper urinary tract were sought retrospectively in 180 children with constipation who had been investigated surgically over a 5-year period. Of those in whom an intravenous urogram had been performed, the incidence of dilatation of the upper renal tract was high, but only 12% of the patients with non-organic constipation had been so investigated.
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