Coexistencia infrecuente de la enfermedad de Tay-Sachs, coartación aórtica y reflujo vesicoureteral de grado V / Rare coexistence of Tay-Sachs disease, coarctation of the aorta and grade V vesicoureteral reflux

La enfermedad de Tay-Sachs es una enfermedad metabólica hereditaria neurodegenerativa. Existen cuatro tipos según el inicio de los síntomas clínicos: infantil, infantil de inicio tardío, juvenil y adulto. El tipo infantil tiene el peor pronóstico. Recientemente, se describieron diferentes anomalías que acompañan a los trastornos metabólicos e influyen en el pronóstico. Presentamos el caso de un lactante con enfermedad de Tay-Sachs junto con coartación aórtica y reflujo vesicoureteral bilateral (RVU) de grado V. Se realizó el seguimiento del paciente en el consultorio externo de Cardiología Pediátrica. En la ecografía abdominal, se observó ectasia pielocalicial, y se detectó reflujo vesicoureteral bilateral de grado V en la cistouretrografía miccional. No se ha informado previamente la coexistencia de estas anomalías. Este caso pone de manifiesto que no se deben subestimar las anomalías del examen neurológico en los pacientes con una cirugía cardíaca reciente, porque podría perderse la oportunidad de diagnosticar enzimopatías congénitas.

Tay-Sachs disease is a neurodegenerative inherited metabolic disease. There are four forms classified by the time of first clinical symptoms: infantile, late infantile, juvenile and adult. Infantile form has the poorest prognosis. Lately, different abnormalities which accompany metabolic disorders and affect the prognosis have been described. We present an infant with Tay-Sachs disease accompanied by coarctation of the aorta and bilateral grade V vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). The patient was followed up in the outpatient clinic of Pediatric Cardiology. The abdominal ultrasonography showed pelvicalyceal ectasia; bilateral grade V VUR in voiding cystourethrography was found. This coexistence has not been previously reported. This case emphasizes that abnormalities in the neurological examination of cardiac postsurgical patients should not be underestimated because the opportunity to diagnose inborn errors of metabolism could be missed.

Pelvic floor electromyography and urine flow patterns in children with vesicoureteral reflux and lower urinary tract symptoms

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the different urine flow patterns and active pelvic floor electromyography (EMG) during voiding in children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) as well as presenting the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms in these patients. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of children diagnosed with VUR after toilet training from Sep 2013 to Jan 2016. 225 anatomically and neurologically normal children were included. The reflux was diagnosed with voiding cystourethrography. The study was comprised an interview by means of a symptom questionnaire, a voiding diary, uroflowmetry with EMG and kidney and bladder ultrasounds. Urine flow patterns were classified as bell shape, staccato, interrupted, tower and plateau based on the current International Children's Continence Society guidelines. Results: Of 225 children with VUR (175 girls, 50 boys), underwent uroflowmetry + EMG, 151 (67.1%) had an abnormal urine flow pattern. An active pelvic floor EMG during voiding was confirmed in 113 (50.2%) children. The flow patterns were staccato in 76 (33.7 %), interrupted in 41 (18.2%), Plateau in 26 (11.5%), tower in 12 (5.3%) and a bell shape or normal pattern in 70 (31.5%). Urinary tract infection, enuresis and constipation respectively, were more frequent symptoms in these patients. Conclusions: Bladder/bowel dysfunction is common in patients with VUR that increases the risk of breakthrough urinary tract infections in children receiving antibiotic prophylaxis and reduces the success rate for endoscopic injection therapy. Therefore investigation of voiding dysfunction with primary assessment tools can be used prior to treating VUR.

Impacto de la aplicación de una guía clínica basada en la evidencia en el tratamiento del reflujo vesicoureteral primario en el niño / Impact of using an evidence-based clinical guideline for the management of primary vesicoureteral reflux in children

Objetivo: Analizar en qué manera se ha modificado la actitud terapéutica en un hospital de tercer nivel tras la implementación de la guía clínica para el tratamiento del reflujo vesicoureteral (RVU) primario en niños. Población y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo sobre una cohorte de pacientes con RVU primario (1989-2015), de entre 0 y 15 años, en un hospital terciario. Se comparó la conducta terapéutica antes y después de la aparición de la guía clínica (2008). Resultados: Se incluyeron 297 pacientes (49, 8% de niños, 50, 2% de niñas), edad media al momento del diagnóstico de 21, 71 meses. El grado de RVU fue: RVU I-III 45, 1%, RVU IV-V 54, 9%; 124 fueron tratados tras la implementación de la guía clínica (grupo 1), 173, con anterioridad (grupo 2). El período medio de seguimiento fue de 124, 32 meses. El tratamiento conservador fue la terapia de inicio en el 70, 3% de los pacientes del grupo 1 y en el 67, 9% del grupo 2. El número de cirugías se mantuvo constante (31, 45% vs. 31, 79%), con un incremento en el número de procedimientos endoscópicos (p < 0, 005). El perfil de paciente se ha modificado a raíz de la aplicación del algoritmo propuesto por dicha guía. Hubo menos intervenciones en pacientes con RVU IV-V (82, 32% vs. 59, 9%, p= 0, 000) y daño renal al momento del diagnóstico (49, 4% vs. 9, 8%, p= 0, 000). Conclusiones: La aplicación de la guía clínica ha favorecido una conducta conservadora inicial en pacientes con RVU de alto grado y nefropatía, en los que, tradicionalmente, se indicaba la cirugía desde el inicio. La utilización de las guías clínicas favorece una conducta unánime basada en la evidencia, que disminuye los procedimientos invasivos innecesarios.

Objective: To analyze changes in the therapeutic approach at a tertiary care hospital following the implementation of a clinical guideline for the treatment of primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children. Population and methods: Retrospective study conducted in a cohort of patients with primary VUR (1989-2015) aged 0-15 years at a tertiary care hospital. The therapeutic approach before and after the development of the clinical guideline (2008) was compared. Results: A total of297 patients (49.8% boys, 50.2% girls) were included; their mean age at the time of diagnosis was 21.71 months. VUR grading was: VUR I-III 45.1%, VUR IV-V 54, 9%; 124 were treated after the implementation of the clinical guideline (group 1), and 173, before (group 2). The mean follow-up period was 124.32months. A conservative approach was the initial treatment in 70.3% of group 1 patients and 67.9% of group 2 patients. The number of surgeries remains constant (31.45% versus 31.79%), with an increase in the number of endoscopic surgeries (p < 0.005). The profile of patients has changed based on the application of the algorithm proposed by the guideline. Fewer surgeries were done in patients with VUR IV-V (82.32% versus 59.9%, p= 0.000) and there were fewer cases of kidney damage at diagnosis (49.4% versus 9.8%, p= 0.000). Conclusions: The implementation of the clinical guideline has favored an initially conservative approach in patients with severe grade VUR and nephropathy, for whom surgery was traditionally indicated initially. Using clinical guidelines favors a unanimous, evidence-based approach that reduces the performance of unnecessary invasive procedures.

Urinary excretion of EGF and MCP-1 in children with vesico-ureteral reflux

ABSTRACT Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the urinary concentration of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) as reflux nephropathy (RN) biomarkers before and after endoscopic treatment of moderate to severe vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR). Materials and methods A prospective study was carried out on 72 children with moderate to severe VUR. All patients underwent endoscopic treatment using Macroplastique® or Deflux®. Vesico-ureteral reflux resolution was tested by post-operative voiding cystourethrography after 3 months and 2 years. Follow-up urinary samples were collected at that time. Control samples were taken from healthy children with no clinical evidence of renal and bladder disease and no history of UTI. Results In VUR patients, pre-operative urinary EGF levels had a down-regulation when compared to controls. Following successful VUR repair, urinary EGF levels of VUR children progressively increased only at long term follow-up but without returning to normal levels. Urinary MCP-1 levels were highly expressed in pre-operative samples and decreased markedly during early post-operative measurements. Urinary MCP-1 levels did not further decreased in late post-operative follow-up. In fact, these levels remained significantly higher when compared to controls. Conclusions Urinary levels of EGF and MCP-1 may become useful markers for monitoring the response to surgical treatment in VUR patients. Although endoscopic VUR treatment is effective in reducing the inflammatory response, the persistence of significant abnormal levels of inflammatory cytokines (such as urinary MCP-1) at long term follow-up suggests that surgery alone may not completely treat the chronic renal inflammation evidenced in these children.

Infección del tracto urinario causada por Enterobacteriaceae y su relación con reflujo vésico-ureteral en recién nacidos / Urinary tract infection caused by Enterobacteriaceae and its relationship with vesicoureteral reflux

Resumen: Introducción: La primera infección del tracto urinario puede ser un marcador de una anomalía del tracto urinario, principalmente de reflujo vésico-ureteral. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la asociación entre microorganismos de la familia Enterobacteriaceae con la presencia y grado de reflujo vésico-ureteral en pacientes neonatales quienes debutaron con infección del tracto urinario. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo, observacional y analítico de recién nacidos con infección del tracto urinario, quienes ingresaron en el Servicio de Neonatología del Hospital Pediátrico Universitario ''Juan Manuel Márquez'', La Habana, Cuba, desde 1992 hasta 2013, y en quienes el microorganismo causal era de la familia Enterobacteriaceae. Se realizaron estudios por imagen y se analizó la asociación entre la presencia y grado de reflujo vésico-ureteral con el microorganismo causal de la infección del tracto urinario. Resultados: Se estudiaron 450 recién nacidos. Los aislamientos bacterianos en los urocultivos correspondieron a E. coli en 316 casos (70.2%). La prevalencia de reflujo vésico-ureteral resultó del 18.2%. Se comprobó que el microorganismo causal -otras bacterias diferentes a E. coli correspondientes a la familia Enterobacteriaceae- se asoció significativamente con el riesgo (OR 2.02; p < 0.01) y el grado de reflujo vésico-ureteral (para los de más alto grado, p < 0.01). Conclusiones: E. coli es el agente causal más frecuente de la infección del tracto urinario neonatal. Sin embargo, existe una asociación entre la presencia de un microorganismo de la familia Enterobacteriaceae diferente a E. coli y el reflujo vésico-ureteral, principalmente los de mayor grado.

Abstract: Background: The first urinary tract infection can be a marker of a urinary tract anomaly, mainly vesicoureteral reflux. The aim of this work was to determine the association between isolated enterobacteria with the presence and grade of vesicoureteral reflux in neonatal patients with their first urinary tract infection. Methods: A retrospective, observational and analytic study of newborns, who were admitted to the Neonatal Department, University Pediatric Hospital ''Juan Manuel Márquez,'' in Havana, Cuba, from 1992 to 2013 was conducted. The causal microorganism of urinary tract infection was from the Enterobacteriaceae family. They were evaluated by radio imaging. The association between the presence and grade of vesicoureteral reflux with the causal microorganism of the urinary tract infection was analyzed. Results: Newborn infants with urinary tract infection (450) were studied. Bacterial isolations in the urine cultures corresponded to E. coli in 316 cases (70.2%). The prevalence of vesicoureteral reflux was 18.2%. The presence of bacteria corresponding to the Enterobacteriaceae family (other than E. coli) had significant risk association with vesicoureteral reflux (OR: 2.02; p < 0.01) and vesicoureteral reflux classification (for higher grades, p < 0.01). Conclusions: E. coli is the most frequent causal microorganism in neonatal urinary tract infection. However, an association between the isolation of a microorganism of the Enterobacteriaceae family different to E. coli with the presence of vesicoureteral reflux and mainly with higher grades of vesicoureteral reflux exists.

Hipercalciuria idiopática en niños con infección del tracto urinario / Idiopathic hypercalciuria in children with urinary tract infection

Introducción. La hipercalciuria idiopática (HI) predispone al desarrollo de infección del tracto urinario (ITU); sin embargo, hay escasa información local sobre dicha asociación. Nuestros objetivos fueron estimar la prevalencia de HI en niños con ITU y evaluar si esta difería según la presencia o no de reflujo vesicoureteral (RVU). Complementariamente, analizamos la asociación entre HI y la ingesta de sal. Población y métodos. Determinamos la calciuria a pacientes menores de 18 años con ITU estudiada (ecografía y cistouretrografía miccional) y ausencia de causas secundarias de hipercalciuria. Consideramos HI al cociente calcio/creatinina > 0,8; 0,6; 0,5 y 0,2 en niños de 0-6 meses, 7-12 meses, 12-24 meses y en los mayores de 2 años, respectivamente; e ingesta elevada de sodio, al cociente sodio/potasio urinario > 2,5. Resultados. En 136 pacientes (87 niñas, mediana de edad 3 años), la prevalencia de HI fue de 20%. Los pacientes con (n= 54) y sin (n= 82) RVU fueron similares en género, peso, talla, edad al diagnóstico y al momento del estudio, características clínicas (hematuria, nefrolitiasis, dolor cólico y recurrencia de ITU), antecedentes familiares de nefrolitiasis y en la prevalencia de HI (26% vs. 16%, p= 0,24). Los niños hipercalciúricos presentaron ingesta elevada de sodio más frecuentemente que los normocalciúricos (76% vs. 46%, p= 0,007). Conclusiones. La prevalencia de HI en niños con ITU fue alta (20%) y no difirió entre los pacientes con y sin RVU. Sería recomendable la búsqueda de HI en los niños con ITU, independientemente de la presencia o no de RVU.

Introduction. Idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) predisposes to urinary tract infections (UTIs); however, there is scarce local information regarding such association. Our objectives were to estimate IH prevalence in children with UTI and to assess whether there were differences in relation to the presence or absence of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Additionally, the association between IH and salt intake was studied. Population and Methods. Calciuria was determined in patients younger than 18 years old on whom UTI had been studied (ultrasound and voiding cystourethrogram), and who had no secondary causes of hypercalciuria. IH was defined as a calcium to creatinine ratio of >0.8, 0.6, 0.5 and 0.2 in children aged 0 to 6 months old, 7 to12 months old, 12 to 24 months old and older than 2 years old, respectively; and a high sodium intake with a urinary sodium to potassium ratio of >2.5. Results. IH prevalence among 136 patients (87 girls, median age: 3 years old) was 20%. Patients with VUR (n= 54) and without VUR (n= 82) had similar characteristics in terms of sex, weight, height, age at diagnosis and age at the time of the study, and clinical features (hematuria, nephrolithiasis, colicky pain, and recurrent UTI), family history of kidney stone formation, and IH prevalence (26% versus 16%, p= 0.24). A high sodium intake was more frequently observed in children with hypercalciuria than in those with normal urine calcium levels (76% versus 46%, p= 0.007). Conclusions. IH prevalence in children with UTI was high (20%), with no differences observed between patients with and without VUR. As a recommendation, the presence of IH should be detected in children with UTI, regardless of VUR presence or absence.

Ureteroneocystostomy in primary vesicoureteral reflux: critical retrospective analysis of factors affecting the postoperative urinary tract infection rates

Introduction To determine the parameters affecting the outcome of ureteroneocystostomy (UNC) procedure for vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Materials and Methods Data of 398 patients who underwent UNC procedure from 2001 to 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Different UNC techniques were used according to laterality of reflux and ureteral orifice configuration. Effects of several parameters on outcome were examined. Disappearance of reflux on control VCUG or absence of any kind of UTI/symptoms in patients without control VCUG was considered as clinical improvement. Results Mean age at operation was 59.2 ± 39.8 months and follow-up was 25.6 ± 23.3 months. Grade of VUR was 1-2, 3 and 4-5 in 17, 79, 302 patients, respectively. Male to female ratio was 163/235. UNC was performed bilaterally in 235 patients and intravesical approach was used in 373 patients. The frequency of voiding dysfunction, scar on preoperative DMSA, breakthrough infection and previous surgery was 28.4%, 70.7%, 49.3% and 22.4%, respectively. Twelve patients (8.9%) with postoperative contralateral reflux were excluded from the analysis. Overall clinical improvement rate for UNC was 92%. Gender, age at diagnosis and operation, laterality and grade of reflux, mode of presentation, breakthrough infections (BTI) under antibiotic prophylaxis, presence of voiding dysfunction and renal scar, and operation technique did not affect the surgical outcome. However, the clinical improvement rate was lower in patients with a history of previous endoscopic intervention (83.9% vs. 94%). Postoperative UTI rate was 27.2% and factors affecting the occurrence of postoperative UTI were previous failed endoscopic injection on univariate analysis and gender, preoperative BTI, postoperative VUR state, voiding dysfunction on multivariate analysis. Surgery related complication rate was 2% (8/398). These were all low grade complications (blood transfusion in 1, hematoma under incision ...

Refluxo Vesicoureteral primário na infância: tratamento conservador versus intervenção cirúrgica / Primary vesicoureteral reflux: conservative therapy or surgical intervention

Introdução: A associação entre refluxo vesicoureteral primário e infecções do trato urinário pode acarretar em dano renal permanente. Há, na literatura, a tendência de cura espontânea deste refluxo em crianças e marcante declínio na indicação do tratamento cirúrgico. Objetivo: Estudar a evolução dos refluxos vesicoureterais primários associados a quadros de infecções urinárias de repetição, em pacientes do serviço de Nefrologia Pediátrica da nossa instituição, avaliando os casos nos quais houve cura mediante tratamento conservador apenas, e aqueles nos quais foi necessária a intervenção cirúrgica. Métodos: Analisamos os prontuários dos pacientes com infecções urinárias de repetição associadas ao diagnóstico de refluxo vesicoureteral primário. Os dados coletados diziam respeito aos parâmetros: sexo, idade do diagnóstico da primeira infecção urinária, idade do diagnóstico de RVU, número de infecções urinárias, grau de refluxo, resultado da urocultura, função renal, cicatrizes renais, outras malformações do trato urinário e intervenção cirúrgica ou conservadora. A Análise estatística foi descritiva e realizada com o programa SPSS. Resultados: Dentro do subgrupo de pacientes com graus IV e V, notou-se 63,6% dos casos evoluindo para intervenção cirúrgica e 36,4%, para resolução por intervenção conservadora. Naqueles com graus I, II e III, 38,5% evoluíram para tratamento cirúrgico, contra 61,5%, para resolução por conduta conservadora. Dentre os pacientes com presença de refluxo vesicoureteral bilateralmente,72,7% tiveram evolução cirúrgica. Não se ...

Introduction: The relationship between urinary tract infections and primary vesicoureteral reflux may lead to permanent renal damage. In the literature an increasing number of spontaneous cure of vesicoureteral reflux in children and the significant decrease in surgical therapy has been observed. Objective: To study the evolution of primary vesicoureteral reflux associated with recurring urinary tract infections settings in patients of the Pediatric Nephrology department of our institution, evaluating cases in which cure was achieved through conservative therapy only and those in which surgical intervention was required. Methods: We analyzed records and collected data refers to parameters: sex, age upon the diagnosis of primary urinary infection, age upon diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux, number of urinary tract infections, vesicoureteral reflux grade; renal function, renal scaring, other malformation of urinary tract, and surgical or conservative intervention. Statistical analysis was descriptive and conducted with the SPSS program. Results: Within the subgroup of patients with grade IV and V, 63.6% of the cases evolved to surgical intervention and 36.4% to conservative intervention. In those with grades I, II, and III, 38.5% evolved to surgical treatment against 61.5% for conservative approach. Among those with bilateral vesicoureteral reflux, 72.7% had to undergo surgical intervention. No relationship was observed between the vesicoureteral reflux grade and the presence of renal scaring. Conclusion: Patients with low grade vesicoureteral reflux and recurring urinary tract infections tend to experience spontaneous reflux resolution with good renal evolution in the long term in a way that surgical intervention becomes limited to high grade reflux or when followed by other clinical issues. .

Are Clinical, Laboratory, and Imaging Markers Suitable Predictors of Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children With Their First Febrile Urinary Tract Infection?

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the predictive value of clinical, laboratory, and imaging variables for the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux in children with their first febrile urinary tract infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred fifty-three children with their first febrile urinary tract infection were divided into two groups according to the results of voiding cystourethrography: 60 children with vesicoureteral reflux and 93 children without. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, likelihood ratio (positive and negative), and accuracy of the clinical, laboratory, and imaging variables for the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux were determined. RESULTS: Of the 153 children with febrile urinary tract infection, 60 patients (39.2%) had vesicoureteral reflux. There were significant differences between the two groups regarding fever>38degrees C, suprapubic pain, C-reactive protein quantitative level, number of red blood cells in the urine, and results of renal ultrasound and dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scanning (p38.2degrees C and dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scanning and vesicoureteral reflux. Also, there were significant positive correlations between the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, positive urinary nitrite test, hyaline cast, and renal ultrasound and high-grade vesicoureteral reflux. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed fever>38.2degrees C and dimercaptosuccinic acid renal scanning as the best predictive markers for vesicoureteral reflux in children with their first febrile urinary tract infection. In addition, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, positive urinary nitrite test, hyaline cast, and renal ultrasound are the best predictive markers for high-grade vesicoureteral reflux.

Combination of probiotics and antibiotics in the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infection in children

We examined the preventive effect of probiotic and antibiotics versus antibiotics alone, in children with recurrent urinary tract infections [RUTI] in a preliminary randomized clinical trial. Between March 2007 and April 2011, children with the history of RUTI and unilateral vesicoureteral reflux [VUR] were randomly assigned to receive concomitant probiotic and antibiotics [Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium lactis, 10[7]/ml, as 0.25 ml/kg three times a day regimen in addition to Nitrofurantoin, 1mg/kg daily [group I]. In group II, all children received conventional prophylactic antibiotics alone [Nitrofurantoin, 1 mg/kg daily]. Randomization was performed via using the random numerals table in a 1:1 manner with stratification by sex, age and grade of reflux. The urine examinations were done monthly and the incidence of UTI was evaluated in these two groups. Forty-one children [age: 8.3 +/- 3.1 years] in group I and 44 children [age: 8.0 +/- 3.0 years] in group II were compared. During the course of three years, 39% in group I and 50% of participants in group II experienced RUTIs [P=0.4]. Incidences of UTI - febrile and afebrile - reduced in both groups without any significant differences after two years of prophylaxis. Also, incidence of afebrile UTIs did not significantly differ [0.51 +/- 1.30 and 0.81 +/- 1.41 respectively, P=0.3]; however, the incidence of febrile UTIs in particular were lower in group I [0.00 +/- 0.00 versus 0.13 +/- 0.40, P=0.03] in the last year. The consumption of probiotic and antibiotics in children with RUTI is safe and more effective in reducing the incidence of febrile UTI in comparison to prophylactic antibiotics alone

Una lesión en el cintigrama renal DMSA 6 meses post fase aguda de una pielonefritis representa siempre una cicatriz: un debate abierto / Evolution of scintigraphic renal lesions in children after an episode of acute pyelonephritis

Background: Abnormal Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scintigraphy performed six months after an acute pyelonephritis (AP) is generally interpreted as scarring. Aim: To perform a follow up of childhood patients showing scintigraphic renal lesions during the acute phase of pyelonephritis (within 7 days from the beginning of fever). Material and Methods: A scintigraphic control was carried out at 5-7 months and, in case of persistent lesions, an additional late scintigraphy at 10-13 months. All patients were followed clinically for one year and those with a relapse of urinary tract infection were excluded from the study. Results: Eighty five patients with a median age of 8 months were included. Among these, the first scintigraphic control was normal in 59 (69%) and abnormal in 26 patients (31%). In five of these 26 patients (5/26:19%-5/85: 6%), a considerable regression of the lesions was obvious on the early control, and normalized completely on the late control. When expressing the results in kidney units, 107 showed lesions during the acute phase of infection; 69% was normal at the early control. Thirty three showed lesions persisting at the early control (31%) and 7 out of these 33 (21%) became normal on the late control (7/107: 7%). In total, 25% of the children included in the study (24% of the kidney units) remained with renal sequelae one year after the initial episode of AP. Conclusions: The persistence of scintigraphic lesions six months after an episode of AP, does not necessarily correspond to permanent scars, since normalization can sometimes be observed on late controls.

[One-year follow-up of radiologic and clinical findings in children with prenatal and neonatal hydronephrosis]

Hydronephrosis is a common problem in prenatal and newborn infants diagnosed by ultrasonography. Bladder to ureter reflux, the upper or lower urinary tract obstruction, and neurogenic bladder are the most common causes of hydronephrosis in newborns and infants. In this study, 100 neonates and infants with hydronephrosis were observed clinically and laboratorically for one year. Patients were allocated to two groups of fetal and newborn infants by the time of detection of hydronephrosis. Classification of the severity of hydronephrosis was based on the anteriorposterior diameter of renal pelvis including: mild hydronephrosis [5-9 mm], moderate [10-15 mm], and severe [more than 15 mm]. Fifty four patients were boy and 46 were girl. Mean age of patients in first visit of fetal and newborn infants hydronephrosis were respectively 2.5 [79% asymptomatic] and 5 month [100% symptomatic]. Causes of fetal hydronephrosis were: bladder to ureter reflux [45%], idiopathic hydronephrosis [41%], ureteropelvic junction obstruction [UPJO] [3.11%], physiological hydronephrosis [7.5%], and posterior urethral valve [8.3%]. Bladder to ureter reflux was the most common cause of hydronephrosis in all of the patients [57%]. The most common causes of mild and severe hydronephrosis were bladder to ureter reflux and ureteropelvic junction obstruction, respectively. In patients with fetal hydronephrosis, 100%, 30% and 6% of cases of severe, moderate, and mild hydronephrosis need surgery, respectively. Using ultrasonography in pregnancy led to the discovery of most asymptomatic fetal hydronephrosis more than infant hydronephrosis

Patients with a history of infection and voiding dysfunction are at risk for recurrence after successful endoscopic treatment of vesico ureteral reflux and deserve long-term follow up

Subureteral endoscopic injection of a bulking agent is an attractive alternative to open surgery or antibiotic prophylaxis for vesico ureteral reflux [VUR]. Little information is available about long-term risk of recurrence after an initially successful treatment. Aim of this paper was to review short- and long-term success rate of endoscopic treatment in a single Center series after risk stratification of individual patients. The records of 126 patients who underwent Deflux injection for primary VUR were examined. Indications to treatment were an unvaried high grade VUR [IV-V] at 1 year from diagnosis and/or and recurrent urinary tract infection [UTI] on antibiotic prophylaxis even in the presence of mild grade VUR [III grade]. Gender, age and mode of diagnosis, infections [UTI], voiding dysfunctions, VUR grade and side, renal function, number of treatments were correlated to outcome. Long-term evaluation was planned at a minimum of 1 year from the last negative post-injection cystogram [MCUG]. A new MCUG and DMSA scan were also offered to those complaining new UTI episodes. Late recurrences were correlated to history and grade of reflux. Data were analyzed with Graph Pad Instat software; the Chi-square test was used for univariate comparisons, the Fisher's exact test for categorical variables.and multiple regression tests for factors influencing outcome. M/F ratio was 62 to 64; median age at diagnosis was 28 months. VUR affected 198 renal units. Preinjection VUR grade was I in 1, II in 27, III in 107, IV in 59, and V in 4 units. Reduced DMSA uptake was evidenced in 51 units and scarring in 24. Median age at treatment was 34.5 months, for persistent high grade VUR [IV-V] in 55 patients and recurrent IVU in 92. Two hundred sixty seven injections were performed on 198 ureters. Complete resolution was documented by MCUG at 3-5 months in 68%, low grading < II in 20%, persistence or unsignificant reduction in 11%. Preoperative recurrent UTI, higher grade VUR, and bilaterality were correlated to a poorer surgical outcome. Among 80 successfully treated cases, 12 complained of persistent UTI. Recurrence of VUR was demonstrated in 31% of them. Deteriorated uptake or additional scarring in 25% was independent from VUR recurrence. Preoperative recurrent UTI and voiding dysfunction correlated significantly to late outcome. Preoperative recurrent IVU, together with high-grade reflux, seem to correlate to lower success rate of Deflux injection for primary VUR. Even after successful endoscopic treatment, long-term surveillance may be needed among these cases, mainly if voiding dysfunction is also recorded. Late recurring VUR must be actively excluded in case of new IVU episodes

Predicting Factors of Breakthrough Infection in Children with Primary Vesicoureteral Reflux

PURPOSE: Many pediatric urologists still favor using prophylactic antibiotics to treat children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). However, breakthrough infection sometimes occurs, leading to significant increases in morbidity as a result of renal scarring. Therefore, we tested whether abnormal renal scan and other factors are predictive of breakthrough infection using univariate analyses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 163 consecutive children who were diagnosed with vesicoureteral reflux between November 1997 and June 2010. Clinical parameters for the statistical analysis included form of presentation, gender, age, VUR grade, laterality, presence of intrarenal reflux, class of antibiotic drug, and presence of abnormal renal scan by Dimercapto-succinic acid. Clinical parameters used for prognostic factors were established by univariate analyses. Fisher's exact test and unpaired t-test were done using SPSS software [SPSS ver. 12.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA)]. RESULTS: Breakthrough infection developed in 61 children (48.0%). A total of 58 children (45.7%) had abnormal renal scans. Time to development of breakthrough infection was significantly longer in girls (9.0+/-8.2 months) than in boys (5.8+/-4.8 months, p<0.05). On univariate analysis, though statistically not significant, the most predictive factor of breakthrough infection was abnormal renal scan (p=0.062). In patients with abnormal renal scans, breakthrough infection was not associated with mode of presentation, gender, grade or prophylactic antibiotics. However, there was a significant difference between patients younger than 1 year and those 1 year old or older. Mean+/-SD age at diagnosis of VUR in patients with breakthrough infection (1.14+/-3.14) was significantly younger than in those without breakthrough infection (5.05+/-3.31, p=0.009). There was also a significant difference between patients with bilateral or unilateral reflux (p=0.028). CONCLUSION: Our data showed that abnormal renal scan was the most predictive factor of breakthrough infection and demonstrated statistical significance in patients under the age of 1 year. Parents and physicians should remain aware that these patients are at high risk of breakthrough urinary tract infection, which may potentially lead to renal damage.

Evaluación a los 5 años de un paciente pediátrico con enfermedad renal crónica / Evaluation to the 5-years of a pediatric patient with chronic kidney disease

Desde la introducción del ultrasonido en obstetricia en el control de todo embarazo fisiológico, la detección temprana de anomalías del tracto urinario ha aumentado últimamente siendo la hidronefrosis y la ureterohidronefrosis los hallazgos más encontrados durante el segundo semestre del embarazo con una prevalencia entre 2 y 2,5 por ciento. La certificación de una malformación del tracto urinario durante el periodo neonatal es indispensable para prevenir y evitar la aparición y/o progresión de la enfermedad renal crónica en pacientes pediátricos, constituyendo la misma un síndrome clínico complejo que resulta de un deterioro progresivo de la función renal. Se presenta un caso de enfermedad renal crónica con hidronefrosis por reflujo vesicoureteral de 5 años de evolución.

Since the introduction of ultrasound in obstetrics in the control of all physiological pregnancies, early detection of urinary tract anomalies has increased recently being hydronephrosis and ureterohydronephrosis the most frequent findings in the second half of pregnancy with a prevalence of between 2 and 2, 5 percent. The certification of an urinary tract malformation during neonatal period is essential to prevent and avoid the development and progression of chronic kidney disease in pediatric patients, constituting a complex clinical syndrome that results from a progressive deterioration of renal function . A case of chronic kidney disease is presented with hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux of 5 years evolution.

Renal scar formation in children with recurrent urinary tract infections

Reports of renal scar formation in children even in the absence of vesicoureteral reflux necessitates studying other causes of this major complication. The present study mainly focuses on the role of recurrent urinary tract infections [UTI] in renal scar formation. The records of 53 patients with recurrent UTI and the data on their regular follow up visits were reviewed. Renal scar formation was confirmed by dimercapto-succinic acid [DMSA] scan. DMSA scan, done at a mean age of 8.31 years, revealed renal scar formation in 12 cases [22.44%]. Seventy-five percent of the patients with scar formation and 80.5% without scar were older than 3 years at the time of the first documented UTI. The etiologic organism was found to be Escherichia coli in 89.2% of the infections in the scar forming versus 78.8% in the non-scar forming group. In the presence of normal urinary tract anatomy, recurrent UTI can be a significant cause of renal scar formation in children

Spontaneous resolution rates of vesicoureteral reflux in Brazilian children: a 30-year experience

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated clinical characteristics of primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in infants in a 30-year period in Brazil with special reference to the relation of renal parenchymal damage to urinary tract infection and gender. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1975 through 2005, 417 girls (81.6 percent) and 94 boys (18.4 percent) with all grades of reflux were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized by the worst grade of reflux, maintained on antibiotic prophylaxis and underwent yearly voiding cystourethrography until the reflux was resolved. VUR was considered resolved when a follow-up cystogram demonstrated no reflux. Surgical correction was recommended for those who fail medical therapy, severe renal scarring or persistent VUR. RESULTS: Grades I to V VUR resolved in 87.5 percent, 77.6 percent, 52.8 percent, 12.2 percent and 4.3 percent, respectively. Renal scars were present at presentation in 98 patients (19.2 percent). Neither gender nor bilaterality versus unilaterality was a helpful predictor of resolution. The significant difference was found among the curves using the log rank (p < 0.001) or Wilcoxon (p < 0.001) test. CONCLUSION: Despite the current use of screening prenatal ultrasound, many infants are still diagnosed as having vesicoureteral reflux only after the occurrence of urinary tract infection in our country. Scarring may be associated to any reflux grade and it may be initially diagnosed at any age but half of the scars are noted with higher grades of reflux (IV and V). The incidence of reflux related morbidity in children has significantly diminished over the last three decades.

Primary vesicoureteral reflux in Iranian children.

BACKGROUND: Experience with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) differs in different centers and there are plenty of controversies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of primary VUR complications and the rate of recurrence of UTI. METHODS: The medical charts of all infants and children with primary VUR who were followed up by two nephrologist were reviewed. During 19 years (1985 to 2004), 330 patients (271 females, 59 males) with 496 refluxing ureters were followed up as primary VUR. Results: The patients age at diagnosis was 54 days to 16 years (Mean: 4.1 years) and the mean duration of follow-up was 4.5 years. Urinary tract infection (UTI) was the presenting symptom in 95% and fever was recorded in 35% of cases. Frequencies of different grades of VUR at initial investigation were 10% 35% 30% 13% and 12% for grades I to V, respectively. Recurrence of UTI in VUR of grades I to V, were 22.2% 18.1% 20% 23.4% and 17.9% respectively. Follow-up voiding cystourethrogram revealed resolution of VUR in 55% improvement in 27.5%, no change in 12% and deterioration in 5.5% Complications such as chronic renal failure and hypertension were observed in 13 and 13 patients, respectively. Renal scarring was present in 52% of boys and 29% of girls. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that symptomatic primary VUR is more common and has better prognosis in girls. Recurrence of UTI is not related to the grade of VUR.