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Updated: Sep 16, 2026

Vessel-sparing Excision and Primary Anastomosis
Published on: January 7, 2019
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).
Abstract:
In children more than one year old the growth rate of the renal parenchyma is delayed if the kidney has a large reflux-ureter and is exposed to urinary tract infection. The growth rate of the parenchyma is normal, if the kidney has a large reflux-ureter but no infection. However, since moderate reduction of the renal parenchyma is often observed in patients with large reflux-ureter but without a history of urinary tract infection, it is concluded that a large reflux may cause back pressure injury on the kidney during infancy but, in children more than one year old, will cause renal growth retardation and renal scarring only be predisposing to pyelonephritis.
Related Concept Videos
Urinary Tract Infection I: Introduction
Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology
Urinary Tract Infection III: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction
Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations

