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Bladder Reflux in Children

Bladder reflux, or vesicoureteral reflux, is a condition in which the urine flow backs up from the bladder, through the ureters and into the kidneys. This reversal of flow can lead to frequent kidney and urinary tract infections and, left untreated, can lead to kidney damage.

  1. Causes

    • Two types of vesicoureteral reflux are primary and secondary. Primary reflux involves a structural defect of the valve that blocks urine from backing up into the ureters from the bladder. The secondary form is a more general blockage, typically brought on by infection.
      Children typically outgrow primary reflux, while treatment involving medication or even surgery might be used to halt or prevent kidney damage.

    Symptoms

    • Because bladder reflux can last for several years before the child either outgrows the problem or undergoes surgery, knowing the symptoms of a urinary tract infection can be helpful in quick diagnoses. Some patients may have some or all of the following symptoms: blood in urine, abdominal pain, fever, burning while urinating, strong need to urinate, flank and back pain.
      Treatment for UTIs typically involve antibiotics that will prevent the infection from traveling to the kidneys. In children with bladder reflux, antibiotic therapy might be recommended as an infection preventative. These antibiotics include brand names Bactrim, Septra, Primsol, Furadantin, Macrobid and Macrodantin.

    Symptoms in Infants

    • Infants might exhibit a different set of UTI symptoms, which includes vomiting, lack of appetite, diarrhea, impeded growth and lethargy.

    Other Indicators

    • Toddlers and young children may exhibit specific signs of bladder or vesicoureteral reflux. Among them: protein in their urine, bed-wetting and high blood pressure. In the most severe and untreated cases, kidney failure can result.

    Diagnosis In Utero

    • Bladder or vesicoureteral reflux can be detected in a fetus through a sonogram. If a swelling is evident in the structures that control urine-collecting in the kidney(s), urine backup is suspected.

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