Mild pyelectasis diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound is not a predictor of urinary tract morbidity in childhood

Abstract

Children with a mild fetal pyelectasis do not have more urinary tract morbidity during childhood than children without this finding. Therefore, there seems to be no need for additional investigation after birth.

Prenatal diagnosis: What do we know of long-term outcomes?

“…In a questionnaire-based study Damon-Elias and associates [30] investigated the clinical outcome of 146 children with mild dilatation (AP diameter 5e10 mm) at 4e9 years of age. Information on medical history was obtained from the parents of children with antenatally detected dilatation and compared with information provided by the parents of 250 age-matched normal controls.…”

Postnatal outcome of prenatally diagnosed severe fetal renal pelvic dilatation

“…Other investigators have suggested that mild RPD (<10 mm) is rarely linked to significant abnormality and not predictive of urinary tract morbidity in childhood. What is interesting from our study is that despite extensive investigations, no obvious cause for the RPD was identified in 16.5% of cases.…”

Vesico‐ureteral reflux in children with prenatally detected hydronephrosis: a systematic review

“…Since the reviewed articles yielded only 79 patients with long‐term follow‐up, our data do not contribute to this discussion. However, based on data collected in our own patients, we do not perform postnatal follow‐up for PNH detected with an APD of < 10 mm30.…”

“…In Figure 2 we propose a flow diagram for a standard follow‐up protocol and adequate recording of data. This diagram is based mainly on previous work in our hospital30. Although we are aware of the fact that many clinicians will find performing a standard VCUG (and ultrasound exam) too invasive, we think that evidence supporting that opinion needs to be produced.…”