Long-time effect of large vesicoureteral reflux with or without urinary tract infection

Insights

Urinary tract infections combined with large reflux-ureters in children over one year old delay renal parenchyma growth. However, large reflux-ureters alone may cause kidney injury in infancy, leading to growth issues later.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nephrology
  • Urology

Background:

  • Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a common condition in children.
  • The impact of VUR on renal growth and scarring is a significant clinical concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between large reflux-ureters, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and renal parenchyma growth in children.
  • To differentiate the effects of VUR with and without infection on kidney development.

Main Methods:

  • Observational study comparing renal parenchyma growth rates in children with large reflux-ureters.
  • Analysis stratified by the presence or absence of concurrent urinary tract infections.

Main Results:

  • Children over one year old with large reflux-ureters and UTIs exhibited delayed renal parenchyma growth.
  • Children with large reflux-ureters but no history of UTIs showed normal parenchymal growth rates.
  • Moderate reduction in renal parenchyma was observed in some patients with large reflux-ureters without UTIs.

Conclusions:

  • Large reflux-ureters can cause kidney injury during infancy due to back pressure.
  • In children over one year old, large reflux-ureters primarily lead to renal growth retardation and scarring by predisposing to pyelonephritis (kidney infection).

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