Antenatal hydronephrosis (ANH) is one of the most frequently detected abnormalities found on routine prenatal ultrasounds, affecting 1% to 4.5% of all pregnancies.
Despite its prevalence, there continues to be uncertainty regarding the clinical impact after birth. Prognosis depends on the severity of the dilation. Expectant prenatal management is the rule with fetal intervention rarely needed in a few select cases. Ureteropelvic junction obstruction and vesicoureteral reflux are the most common postnatal diagnoses. A renal and bladder ultrasound is essential in the follow-up of patients with ANH and helps dictate further investigation with voiding cystourethrography and/or diuretic renography.
Written by:
Liu DB, Armstrong WR 3rd, Maizels M. Are you the author?
Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 225 East Chicago Avenue, Box 24, Chicago, IL 60611, USA; Department of Urology, University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine, 820 South Wood Street, M/C 955, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Reference: Clin Perinatol. 2014 Sep;41(3):661-78.
doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2014.05.013
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25155734