Vesicoureteral reflux

Abstract

Primary vesicoureteral reflux is the most common urological anomaly in children. It occurs in 1-2% of the paediatric population and in 30-50% of children who present with urinary tract infection. The association of vesicoureteral reflux, urinary tract infection and renal damage is well known. Parenchymal injury in vesicoureteral reflux occurs early, in most patients before age 3 years. Most renal scars are present when reflux is discovered at initial evaluation for urinary tract infection. The hereditary and familial nature of vesicoureteral reflux is now well recognized and several studies have shown that siblings of children with vesicoureteral reflux have a much higher incidence of reflux than the general pediatric population. Prevalence rates of 27-51% in siblings of children with VUR and a 66% rate of VUR in offspring of parents with previously diagnosed reflux have been reported. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.