Evaluation of the incidence and outcome of fetal hydronephrosis prenatally diagnosed by ultrasound

Abstract

The outcome and proper management of fetal hydronephrosis have not been completely defined. The purpose of this study was to determine incidence and outcome of infants with a history of prenatal hydronephrosis diagnosed by ultrasound. In a three-year period from 2000 to 2003 we identified 211 cases (271 renal units) of fetal hydronephrosis in which renal pelvic anteroposterior diameter was more than normal diameter at various stages of pregnancy. Incidence of fetal hydronephrosis was 3.8 percent in the 55500 fetuses screened by ultrasound. A total of 187 fetuses (240 renal units) followed up underwent postnatal sonography and only in ten cases renal pelvic anteroposterior diameter was greater than 15 mm that required surgical correction. The most important advantage of knowing that a fetus has ultrasound findings of persistent hydronephrosis is ability to begin timely evaluation of the newborn to identify severity of hydronephrosis and prevent progressive deterioration of renal function.