Vesicoureteral Reflux—Child

(VUR—Child; Reflux Nephropathy—Child; Chronic Atrophic Pyelonephritis—Child; Vesico-Ureteric Reflux—Child; Ureteral Reflux—Child)

Pronounced: VEH-sih-co-ya-REET-uh-rul REE-flux
by Sonja Lyons and Rebecca J. Stahl, MA

Definition

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the backward flow of urine. The urine flows from the bladder back into the kidneys.

Urine normally flows out from the kidneys. It passes through tubes called ureters. It then flows into the bladder. Each ureter connects to the bladder in a way that prevents urine from flowing back up the ureter. This connection is similar to a one-way valve. When this does not work properly, or if the ureters do not extend far enough into the bladder, urine may flow back up to the kidney. If the urine contains bacteria, the kidney may become infected. The back-up can also put extra pressure on the kidney. This can cause kidney damage.

This is a potentially serious condition. It requires care from a doctor. Early treatment and prevention of infections can lead to better outcomes. If you suspect your child has this condition, call the doctor right away.

The Urinary Tract

si55551330_urinary tract child.jpg
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

Common causes of VUR include:

  • A problem in the way the ureter inserts into the bladder
  • A ureter that does not extend far enough into the bladder
  • Neurogenic bladder (loss of normal bladder function due to damaged nerves reaching the bladder)

Risk Factors    TOP

The following factors increase your child’s chance of developing VUR:

  • Family history (especially if a sibling or parent has VUR)
  • Birth defects that affect the urinary tract
  • Birth defects that affect the spinal cord, such as spina bifida
  • Tumors in the spinal cord or pelvis
  • Ethnicity: Caucasian

Symptoms    TOP

Your child may not have any symptoms. In some cases, VUR is found after a urinary tract or kidney infection is diagnosed. Symptoms of urinary tract infections include:

  • Frequent and urgent need to urinate
  • Passing small amounts of urine
  • Pain in the abdomen or pelvic area
  • Burning sensation during urination
  • Cloudy, bad-smelling urine
  • Increased need to get up at night to urinate
  • Blood in the urine
  • Leaking urine
  • Low back pain or pain along the side of the ribs
  • Fever and chills

Diagnosis    TOP

The doctor will ask about your child’s symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Tests may include:

  • Blood tests—to assess how well the kidneys are functioning
  • Urine tests—to look for evidence of an infection or damage to the kidneys
  • Ultrasound —a test that uses sound waves to examine the kidney and bladder
  • CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses computers to make pictures of structures in the body
  • Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)—a liquid that can be seen on x-rays is placed in the bladder through a catheter; x-rays are taken when the bladder is filled and when urinating
  • Radionuclide cystogram (RNC)—a test like VCUG, but uses a different kind of liquid to obtain images
  • Intravenous pyelogram —also uses a liquid that can be seen on x-rays; images are taken as the substance travels from the blood (after being injected into a vein) into the kidneys and bladder
  • Nuclear scans—a variety of tests using radioactive materials injected into a vein or the bladder to show how well the urinary system is working

The doctor will grade your child’s condition. The grading scale ranges from 1 (mild) to 5 (severe).

Treatment    TOP

The goal for treatment of VUR is to prevent any permanent kidney damage. Treatment options include:

Monitoring

If your child’s condition is graded 1-3, he may not need treatment right away. VUR may go away on its own as the ureters develop. The doctor will monitor your child’s condition. This may include:

  • Preventive antibiotics—Your child may need to take a low-dose antibiotic every day to prevent infection if your child is having many infections.
  • Tests to check how the kidneys are functioning

Children are advised to stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. They should also empty their bladders frequently.

Surgery

In most cases, surgery is not needed. If your child does need surgery, the options include:

  • Ureteral reimplantation surgery—This can be done in two ways. One requires making an incision above the pubic bone and repositioning the ureters in the bladder. It can also be done laparoscopically, with cameras being inserted through small incisions in the abdomen and/or bladder to do the surgery.
  • Endoscopic injection into the ureter—This is a minimally invasive surgery that is done to correct the reflux. A gel is injected where the ureter inserts into the bladder. This can block urine from flowing back up the ureter.

Prevention    TOP

VUR cannot be prevented in most cases. You can help your child avoid complications by calling the doctor right away if you think she has a bladder or kidney infection.

RESOURCES:

American Urological Association
http://www.urologyhealth.org/
National Kidney Foundation
http://www.kidney.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

BC Health Guide
http://www.bchealthguide.org/
The Kidney Foundation of Canada: British Columbia Branch
http://www.kidney.bc.ca/

References:

DynaMed Editorial Team. Vesicoureteral reflux. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated July 2010. Accessed July 13, 2010.
Children’s Hospital Boston. Vesicoureteral reflux. Children’s Hospital Boston website. Available at: http://www.childre... . Accessed June 29, 2010.
Cincinnati Children’s. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Cincinnati Children’s website. Available at: http://www.cincinn... . Accessed June 29, 2010.
Lyons S. Vesicoureteral reflux. EBSCO Health Library website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/healthLibrary/ . Updated November 30, 2009. Accessed June 29, 2010.
Valla JS, Steyaert H, Griffin SJ, et al. Transvesicoscopic Cohen ureteric reimplantation for vesicoureteral reflux in children: a single-centre 5-year experience. J Pediatr Urol . 2009;5(6):466-71.
Last reviewed June 2012 by Kari Kassir, MD
Last Updated: 06/06/2012
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