Results of systematic screening for minor degrees of fetal renal pelvis dilatation in an unselected population.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of minor degrees of renal pelvis dilatation that is detected by antenatal ultrasound scanning in an unselected population and its value in the prediction of significant uropathies.


METHODS
This prospective study was conducted over a 24-month period. Infants with an anteroposterior pelvic diameter of >or=4 mm in the second trimester and/or >or=7 mm but <15 mm in the third trimester were enrolled.


RESULTS
Pyelectasis was found in 4.5% of 5643 fetuses (1.5% with significant uropathy). Among the 213 infants whose cases were followed, 132 infants (62%) had renal anomalies, but only 83 infants (39%) had significant uropathies. The ability of the third-trimester renal pelvis dilatation to predict renal abnormalities showed a positive predictive value of 69%. Pyelectasis that was detected only in the second trimester revealed a significant uropathy in 12% of the infants.


CONCLUSIONS
Pyelectasis was found in 4.5% of fetuses. The third-trimester anteroposterior renal pelvis diameter of >or=7 mm was the best ultrasound criterion to predict postnatal uropathies.
Ismaili
Khalid
K
Department of Perinatal and Pediatric Nephrology, Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants-Reine Fabiola and Hôpital Erasme, Brussels, Belgium. k.ismaili@yucom.be
Hall
Michelle
M
Donner
Catherine
C
Thomas
Dominique
D
Vermeylen
Danièle
D
Avni
Fred E
FE
D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal