Importance of vesicoureteral reflux in Pediatrics. Joint patient follow-up between Pediatric Nephrology and Pediatric Surgery

Abstract

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the most frequent nephrourological malformation of the newborn, and may appear secondary in other malformative pathologies, such as in the case of the posterior urethral leaflets, or be secondary to a dysfunction of the ureterovesical junction. In this way, two phenotypes of patients are distinguished, on the one hand those diagnosed in the prenatal or neonatal period, generally males, with anatomical and/or functional affection of the ureterovesical junction, which is known as the “primary VUR”, compared to postnatal forms in the older schoolchild, generally women with bladder and ureterovesical junction dysfunction, known as “secondary VUR”. These clinical forms present different clinical and prognostic evolution, with development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to poor nephrourological development frequently associated with recurrent urinary infections. The gold standard technique for diagnosing kidney damage is nuclear renal scanning with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), while the diagnostic test for VUR is voiding cystourethrography (VCUG). Initial treatment should be conservative, optimizing hygienic measures, given the possibility of spontaneous resolution of it over time, mainly in mild forms of VUR, reserving corrective surgical treatment in severe forms and with poor clinical evolution, due to the probable development of CKD that can lead the patient to end-stage kidney disease with the need for extrarenal clearance techniques or even kidney transplantation. Surgical treatment will preferably be endoscopic. There is still controversy in the use of antibiotic prophylaxis, being recommended in specific cases. A comprehensive multidisciplinary management of the patient will improve their renal and vital prognosis, as well as their quality of life and that of their family.