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A Murine Model of Irreversible and Reversible Unilateral Ureteric Obstruction
Published on: December 20, 2014
Natural history of vesicoureteral reflux in siblings
L P Connolly1, S T Treves, D Zurakowski
1Department of Radiology (Division of Nuclear Medicine), Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Insights
Vesicoureteral reflux often resolves spontaneously in children identified through sibling screening. This study supports non-surgical management with regular imaging for asymptomatic cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Urology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a common condition in children.
- Sibling screening is crucial for early detection in at-risk families.
- Understanding the natural history of VUR is essential for guiding treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the natural progression of VUR in asymptomatic siblings of affected children.
- To identify predictors and the time course for spontaneous resolution of VUR.
- To inform management strategies for pediatric VUR detected via screening.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 76 girls and 32 boys diagnosed with VUR through sibling screening.
- Analysis of radionuclide cystograms to assess reflux severity and resolution.
- Logistic regression and survival analysis were employed to determine predictors of resolution.
Main Results:
- Spontaneous resolution of VUR occurred in 52.8% of cases over a mean follow-up of 18.5 months.
- Annual resolution rates were observed to be over 28%.
- No significant predictors for the likelihood of VUR resolution were identified; however, unilateral and mild reflux predicted more rapid resolution.
Conclusions:
- Spontaneous resolution is a likely outcome for VUR in children identified through sibling screening programs.
- These findings support conservative, non-surgical management approaches.
- Annual imaging evaluations are recommended to monitor resolution progress.
Purpose:
We attempted to assess the natural course of vesicoureteral reflux after it was detected in asymptomatic siblings of children with reflux, and to determine predictors of and time to resolution.
Materials And Methods:
We reviewed the records and radionuclide cystograms of 76 girls and 32 boys 2 weeks to 103 months old (mean age 21 months) with vesicoureteral reflux detected in a sibling screening program. Predictors were determined using logistic regression and survival analysis.
Results:
Vesicoureteral reflux resolved in 52.8% of cases at a mean followup of 18.5 months. Yearly resolution rates exceeded 28%. Predictors of the likelihood of resolution were not identified. At diagnosis unilateral reflux and mild reflux were independent and univariate predictors, respectively, of more rapid resolution.
Conclusions:
By showing that spontaneous resolution is likely for children with vesicoureteral reflux detected in a sibling screening program, this study supports nonsurgical management with annual imaging evaluation.
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