How to Treat Kidney Reflux Disease in Infant

Kidney reflux disease (vesicoureteral reflux or VUR) is observable in small children. It occurs when urine in the bladder goes back into the ureters, and sometimes into the kidneys. The symptoms are not unique to VUR. So the disease has to be diagnosed with a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) or a renal ultrasound. The disease can also be diagnosed with an ultrasound before birth.The type of treatment is based on a grading system of 1-5. It is hereditary, and more common in boys during infancy, and girls in early childhood. Also, It is more common in Caucasian than African-American children.

Things You'll Need

• Prescribed antibiotics
• Repeated urine cultures
• Annual kidney ultrasounds
• Abdominal CT scans

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Instructions

Treatment

• 1

  Consult a physician if the infant is urinating frequently, always crying while urinating, has difficulty urinating, such as dribbling (small amounts passed frequently), appearance of an abdominal mass, poor weight gain and/or a combination of one or more conditions.

• 2

  Urinalysis will be done by the physician to first test for urinary tract infection. Other tests will be done or scheduled by the physician, if an abdominal mass is present or a combination of other symptoms.

• 3

  VUR is classified by a grading system of 1-5, based on age, overall health, personal and family medical history. Grades 1-3 do not require intense therapy, and usually resolve themselves within a period of five years. Grades 4-5 may require a surgeon to create a flap-valve apparatus in the ureter, to prevent the urine from flowing back into the kidneys. In severe cases, the doctor will surgically remove the scarred kidney and ureter.

• 4

  Antibiotics are prescribed for recurrent fevers and infections for children with grade 1-3 reflux.