title: Ultrasonic indicators of ureteric reflux in the newborn.
abstract: There is controversy over the value of ultrasonic screening for detection of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) in babies. We scanned 300 newborn babies and identified 53 with a dilated renal pelvis or other minor abnormalities. Eventually, 9 of these were investigated by voiding cystourethrography and 3 (5 kidneys) proved to have VUR exceeding grade II. In 3 babies the reason for cystourethrography was persistent renal pelvis dilation; in 3 it was urinary tract infection; and in 3 it was a new ultrasonic sign observed early in the series--ballooning of the renal pelvis during voiding. Whereas persistent dilation of the renal pelvis was a non-specific indicator (absent in 2 of the 5 affected kidneys and present in 5 of those unaffected), ballooning was consistently seen in all 5 affected renal pelvises. This sign, easily obtained in a baby who has been sleeping, deserves prospective assessment for its value in screening.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Fukul Medical School, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hiraoka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kasuga
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hori
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sudo
mesh_terms: D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007682:Kidney Pelvis; D008297:Male; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D014563:Urodynamics; D014567:Urography; D014718:Vesico-Ureteral Reflux / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology