Skip to main content
Log in

Antenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis: current postnatal management

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Pediatric Surgery International Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The issue of antenatal hydronephrosis has become a routine component for the care of a pregnant woman despite limited evidence of a clinical benefit. The genitourinary tract represents the most commonly detected organ system with identified abnormalities, with antenatal hydronephrosis (ANH), being the most notable and common finding. ANH represents a spectrum, with most cases being a trivial and inconsequential finding on maternal fetal ultrasound. However, there is a correlation with increased grades of ANH being associated with increased severity of urinary tract pathology. Most patients can be managed expectantly with appropriate evaluation commenced postnatally based on severity of ANH and proper parental counseling and education. The purpose of this review was to assess current literature and guidelines pertaining to ANH and incorporate our practical interpretations of their significance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Mallik M, Watson AR (2008) Antenatally detected urinary tract abnormalities: more detection but less action. Pediatr Nephrol 23:897

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Nguyen HT, Herndon CD, Cooper C et al (2010) The Society for Fetal Urology consensus statement on the evaluation and management of antenatal hydronephrosis. J Pediatr Urol 6:212–231

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Ismaili K, Avni FE, Piepsz A et al (2004) Current management of infants with fetal renal pelvis dilation: a survey by French-speaking pediatric nephrologists and urologists. Pediatr Nephrol 19:966

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Ismaili K, Hall M, Donner C et al (2003) Results of systematic screening for minor degrees of fetal renal pelvis dilatation in an unselected population. Am J Obstet Gynecol 188:242

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Coplen DE, Austin PF, Yan Y et al (2006) The magnitude of fetal renal pelvic dilatation can identify obstructive postnatal hydronephrosis, and direct postnatal evaluation and management. J Urol 176:724

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Lee RS, Cendron M, Kinnamon DD et al (2006) Antenatal hydronephrosis as a predictor of postnatal outcome: a meta-analysis. Pediatrics 118:586

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Harrison MR, Golbus MS, Filly RA et al (1987) Fetal hydronephrosis: selection and surgical repair. J Pediatr Surg 22:556

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Harrison MR, Golbus MS, Filly RA et al (1982) Fetal surgery for congenital hydronephrosis. N Engl J Med 306:591

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Harrison MR, Golbus MS, Filly RA et al (1982) Management of the fetus with congenital hydronephrosis. J Pediatr Surg 17:728

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Harrison MR, Nakayama DK, Noall R et al (1982) Correction of congenital hydronephrosis in utero II. Decompression reverses the effects of obstruction on the fetal lung and urinary tract. J Pediatr Surg 17:965

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Dhillon HK (1998) Prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis: the Great Ormond Street experience. Br J Urol 81(Suppl 2):39

    Google Scholar 

  12. Thomas DF (2010) Prenatal diagnosis: what do we know of long-term outcomes? J Pediatr Urol 6:204

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Ulman I, Jayanthi VR, Koff SA (2000) The long-term followup of newborns with severe unilateral hydronephrosis initially treated nonoperatively. J Urol 164:1101

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ismaili K, Hall M, Piepsz A et al (2006) Primary vesicoureteral reflux detected in neonates with a history of fetal renal pelvis dilatation: a prospective clinical and imaging study. J Pediatr 148:222

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Psooy K, Pike J (2009) Investigation and management of antenatally detected hydronephrosis. Can Urol Assoc J 3:69

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Walsh TJ, Hsieh S, Grady R et al (2007) Antenatal hydronephrosis and the risk of pyelonephritis hospitalization during the first year of life. Urology 69:970

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Coelho GM, Bouzada MC, Lemos GS et al (2008) Risk factors for urinary tract infection in children with prenatal renal pelvic dilatation. J Urol 179:284

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Lee JH, Choi HS, Kim JK et al (2008) Nonrefluxing neonatal hydronephrosis and the risk of urinary tract infection. J Urol 179:1524

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Estrada CR, Peters CA, Retik AB et al (2009) Vesicoureteral reflux and urinary tract infection in children with a history of prenatal hydronephrosis—should voiding cystourethrography be performed in cases of postnatally persistent grade II hydronephrosis? J Urol 181:801

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Roth CC, Hubanks JM, Bright BC et al (2009) Occurrence of urinary tract infection in children with significant upper urinary tract obstruction. Urology 73:74

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Circumcision policy statement (2012) American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Circumcision. Pediatrics 130:585–586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Mukherjee S, Joshi A, Carroll D et al (2009) What is the effect of circumcision on risk of urinary tract infection in boys with posterior urethral valves? J Pediatr Surg 44:417

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Herndon CD, McKenna PH, Kolon TF et al (1999) A multicenter outcomes analysis of patients with neonatal reflux presenting with prenatal hydronephrosis. J Urol 162:1203

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Ismaili K, Avni FE, Wissing KM et al (2004) Long-term clinical outcome of infants with mild and moderate fetal pyelectasis: validation of neonatal ultrasound as a screening tool to detect significant nephrouropathies. J Pediatr 144:759

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Ismaili K, Avni FE, Alexander M et al (2005) Routine voiding cystourethrography is of no value in neonates with unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney. J Pediatr 146:759

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Roth JA, Diamond DA (2001) Prenatal hydronephrosis. Curr Opin Pediatr 13:138

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Chung S, Majd M, Rushton HG et al (1993) Diuretic renography in the evaluation of neonatal hydronephrosis: is it reliable? J Urol 150:765

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Ross SS, Kardos S, Krill A et al (2011) Observation of infants with SFU grades 3–4 hydronephrosis: worsening drainage with serial diuresis renography indicates surgical intervention and helps prevent loss of renal function. J Pediatr Urol 7:266–271

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martin Koyle.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Davenport, M.T., Merguerian, P.A. & Koyle, M. Antenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis: current postnatal management. Pediatr Surg Int 29, 207–214 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-012-3258-4

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-012-3258-4

Keywords

Navigation