Care for Kidney Blockage in Pediatric Patients

Some children suffer from kidney blockage. In this condition the kidney performs its basic function of filtering blood and converting waste into urine, but the blockage keeps the urine from being excreted. In some cases the condition is congenital, or present at birth. Sometimes the defect occurs in the womb. Blockage of the ureteropelvic junction, or UPJ; hydronephrosis; and urinary reflux are common urinary blockages in children. The implications of kidney blockage are not always serious; in many cases, blockages are curable by surgery or medication or clear up by themselves.

Ureteropelvic Junction and Ureterovesical Junction

• Ureteropelvic junction and ureterovesical junction, or UVJ, are two common types of blockages. The UPJ is located at the beginning of the ureter, the tube that connects the bladder to the kidney. Blockage here is called ureteropelvic blockage. The ureterovesical junction is where the ureter connects to the bladder. Blockage there is UVJ blockage. Both types of blockage are usually caused by dilation of the lower ureter, which makes it look like a balloon.

  The condition is diagnosed by an ultrasound scan. Once a blockage is diagnosed, doctors often recommend you watch and wait. In this case, scans are performed at intervals of six to 12 months. This enables the doctor to get an idea of whether the blockage is one that goes away on its own, or is likely to stay, in which case surgery is required.

  Surgery incolves a procedure called pyeloplasty for UPJ. The blocked area is removed by making an incision from the back after the patient is given anesthesia. The remaining drainage area is then sewn up. With UVJ the blockage is removed, and then the ureter is stitched back into the bladder. In both cases, the recovery time is usually a couple of weeks.

Hydronephrosis

• Hydronephrosis is a condition in which there is narrowing or enlargement of one or both the kidneys during fetal development, at infancy or during childhood. Like other kinds of blockage, this often clears on its own. If it doesn't, surgery is advised. If the obstruction is detected during pregnancy and does not go away by itself, the doctor might insert a tube into the fetus and drain out urine from time to time.

Other Blockages

• Urinary reflux and severe urinary tract infection, or UTI, are other common reasons for kidney blockage in children. These are a result of severe infection, and are usually temporary. Most cases are treated by medication, usually antibiotics.