My daughter is 18 months old and at 11 months was diagnosed with Grade 3 reflux. Her VCUG showed 2 normal kidney's with minimal hydronephrosis.
What exactly does minimal hydronephrosis mean? She is on medication and has to have her urine checked frequently. Will she outgrow this and will
she possibly have any kidney damage from this problem? Also, what is the severity of a Grade 3 reflux? Thank you for any information that will help
me to understand the problem that my daughter has.
Sincerely,
Michelle
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Dear Michelle
Thanks for your questions.
Minimal hydronephrosis means that the interior of the kidney is mildly stretched. It is a description of what is seen, and is meaningless as regards function.
Vesicoureteral reflux is a common occurrence.
It stems from a developmental abnormality when the valve mechanism at the junction between the bladder and the ureter ( the tube from the kidney ) does not function properly. The urine is able to flow back up toward the kidney. Authors say that reflux itself is not a problem but coupled with bacteria spells trouble. Complications include; renal scarring, fever , UTI’s, possible hypertension and infrequent kidney failure.
Reflux is graded by the “amount of urine refluxed”, from 1 to 5 , 5 being the worst. Grade three has about a fifty -fifty chance of resolving by the age of five. Treatment includes antibiotics to prevent infections while the young kidney is susceptible. It is important that these not be discontinued until your urologist advises you to do so. If the reflux fails to resolve on its own, then surgery can be performed to correct the problem. There is some debate about the timing and place for such surgery. There is a significant chance that siblings of refluxing children as well as their mothers have or had reflux. Certainly siblings need to be evaluated in this regard.
Hope this has answered your questions and will stimulate dialog with your physician.
More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its urban campuses by calling (1 800 653 6568). We can also arrange local accommodations through this number if this is your need. Please bring any physicians’ notes and lab test results that you may be able to obtain. These will help us greatly.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.
Sincerely;
HFHS-M.D. MS
* Keyword: reflux
