Hydronephrosis
During the mother’s prenatal care, a congenital scan was done and it revealed that the baby had hydronephrosis.
What is this condition?
Hydronephrosis or dilated kidneys is usually due to four causes:
1. Obstruction at the ureteropelvic junction by stricture or an aberrant vessel
2. Obstruction at the ureteral level
3. Obstruction at the ureterovesical junction and
4. Obstruction at the bladder neck, usually at the posterior urethral valves which act like a check- valve mechanism
Some cases of hydronephrosis are asymptomatic until bladder distention occurs that may result to renal failure.
Some cases may be diagnosed at birth or at newborn period with poor urinary flow and or the newborn will have ascites.
Further tests done on diagnosed newborns are the following:
– catheterization of the distended bladder and determination of the residual urine volume
– intravenous pyelograms
– cystoscopy
– and retrograde pyelograms to establish the diagnosis
This is one proof of how important expectant mothers should have a good prenatal check up because of the modern technology, congenital problems can be picked up early.