Clinical characteristics and outcome of childhood vesicoureteral reflux.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the clinical features and outcome parameters of children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) based on gender and VUR grade.

Population And Methods: Patients with VUR who were seen during routine follow-up visits at Ankara University Children's Hospital between January 2014-January 2015 were included in this retrospective study. Patient demographics, clinical course, laboratory investigations, imaging were noted.

Results: Two hundred and twenty patients were recruited. Mean age at the time of diagnosis was 3,17 ± 3,08 years. Boys were diagnosed at younger ages as compared to girls (2.00 ± 2,59 vs. 3,81 ± 3.15, p < 0.001). Urinary tract infection (UTI) was the most common presentation. The second presentation form was antenatal hydronephrosis (AHN) which was more common in males (25.6 %, p < 0.001). Twenty-two percent of the patients had grade 1-2, 51 % grade 3 and 27 % grade 4-5 reflux. Patients with grade 4-5 reflux had more abnormal ultrasound (US) and Tech 99m dimercaptosuccinic acid scintigraphy (DMSA) findings and surgery was performed more frequently in this group (p < 0.001). In males, grade 4-5 reflux (43.6 % vs. 18.3 %), abnormal US (77 % vs. 54 %) and DMSA (77 % vs. 59 %) findings were more frequent (p < 0.05). In girls higher rates of UTIs, lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) and spontaneous reflux resolution were seen (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Despite younger age at diagnosis, spontaneous resolution was found lower in boys and they had more frequent AHN, more severe reflux, and radiological abnormalities.