What Is Urinary Reflux?

Urinary reflux is another term for vesicoureteral reflux and is most commonly diagnosed in very young children. Because urinary reflux can potentially cause long-term damage to the kidneys, early diagnosis is critical. According to the Children's Hospital of Boston, any child, but especially boys, under the age of 5 with a urinary-tract infection has an increased chance of urinary reflux.

Definition

• Vesicoureteral reflux occurs when urine goes backwards from the bladder toward the kidneys. Urine should only go one direction, from the kidneys to the bladder through the ureters. Urinary reflux is usually caused by a faulty valve where the ureter connects to the bladder.

Diagnosis

• Doctors diagnose urinary reflux using tests that show images of the bladder, kidneys and ureters and how well they are functioning. Tests for vesicoureteral reflux include a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), nuclear scans and ultrasound.

Prognosis

• Vesicoureteral reflux is graded on a scale from 1 to 5. Children with grades 1 through 3 may not require any treatment and may simply outgrow the condition. Children with grades 4 and 5 are more likely to require surgical treatment.

Treatment with Medication

• Doctors often prescribe prophylactic antibiotics to children diagnosed with urinary reflux. This medication helps prevent urinary-tract infections and protects the kidneys from damage.

Surgical Treatment

• Open surgical treatment of vesicoureteral reflux requires an incision in the lower abdomen through which the surgeon can repair the faulty ureter valve. In endoscopic treatment, the surgeon guides a scope through the urethra into the bladder and inserts material to help strengthen the valve.