The growth of the kidneys in children with vesicoureteric reflux

In a retrospective study, 69 kidneys with VUR were divided into 2 groups: One group (A) where VUR stopped within 1 year after operation or conservative treatment and a second group (B) where VUR continued for more than 1 year. Group A had somewhat more severe grades of reflux than group B. The number of infections were practically the same in the two groups. The length of the kidneys was measured at the time of diagnosis and compared with the length at the most recent urography after VUR stopped (group A) on average 2 years and 3 months later and with the most recent urography while VUR was still present (group B) on average 1 year and 9 months later. It was found that 85% in group A had increased in absolute length while the figure was 60% in group B. If the relative growth is calculated (the kidneys' length in relationship to L1-L3 distance), 60% in group B had decreased while only 30% in group A had decreased.