title: The genetics of primary, nonsyndromic vesicoureteral reflux.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is diverse in its natural history; the majority of cases resolve spontaneously, whereas others persist with the potential for complications such as recurrent urinary tract infection, renal scarring, hypertension, and compromised renal function. The management of VUR is controversial and confusing for patients, parents, and clinicians, primarily due to the inability to identify children at high risk for VUR or at risk for renal damage from reflux-induced scarring.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Genotype screening of specific subgroups of patients may identify genetic markers for predicting in whom VUR will or will not spontaneously resolve and those at risk for renal scarring and its sequelae. In this review, we will analyze the recent literature regarding specific genes and chromosome regions involved in primary, nonsyndromic VUR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Previous studies demonstrate the genetic heterogeneity of VUR. It is likely that different forms of VUR with different genetic determinates are present. The observed heterogeneity in linkage analysis results may just be a reflection of the diverse genes involved depending on the demographics of the population being evaluated. Although far from completion, current research collectively has began to shed some insights into our understanding of the complex nature of the genetics of primary, nonsyndromic VUR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Carvas
authors.forename: Andres
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Hiep T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Nguyen
mesh_terms: D018740:Genetic Heterogeneity; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D008126:Lod Score; D014718:Vesico-Ureteral Reflux / Q000235:genetics*