What to do about vesicoureteral reflux in children

  Vesicoureteral reflux is the retrograde return of urine from the bladder into the ureter, usually up to the kidney.  There are numerous causes of vesicoureteral reflux, the most common of which is primary reflux, which is a congenital condition that occurs when the length of the inner segment of the ureteral bladder wall is too short. Secondary reflux, on the other hand, is usually caused by neurogenic bladder, posterior urethral valves, ureteral cysts, or ectopic openings.  The incidence of primary vesicoureteral reflux is about 1%, and it can lead to urinary tract infections, decreased renal scarring function, hypertension, growth restriction, and is one of the major causes of renal failure from obstructive nephropathy.  Vesicoureteral reflux is present in approximately 50% of urinary tract infections in children. Therefore, a voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) is required for all boys with urinary tract infections and girls with more than two cystitis to make a definitive diagnosis.  There are V levels of vesicoureteral reflux, and mild to moderate reflux may heal spontaneously as the child gets older. However, surgical treatment should be considered in the following cases: 1) recurrent febrile urinary tract infections where conservative treatment with antibiotics is ineffective; 2) progressive renal scar formation or new scarring; 3) children with reflux with renal atrophy and growth restriction; 4) ureteral reflux with bladder diverticulum or ectopic opening.  At present, the vesicoureteral reflux is treated with the modified Lich-Gregoir method, and all the children’s symptoms disappear after surgery, with good surgical results and no complications such as ureteral stenosis.