Epidemiological and clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of antenatal hydronephrosis: A single-centre experience of 229 cases

Abstract

The advances in the utilization of USG in routine antenatal follow-up resulted in an increased diagnosis of antenatal hydronephrosis (ANH). This study was conducted to elaborate on the ANH's epidemiological and clinical characteristics, management, outcomes, and possible risk factors. Two hundred twenty-nine cases diagnosed with ANH were included during the antenatal follow-up at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Ondokuz Mayıs University between 2004 and 2022. The ANH was a USG finding suggesting a hydronephrosis ≥7 mm. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics, risk factors, treatment and outcomes in the postnatal period were assessed retrospectively. About 75% of the cases were male, 8% were premature births, and the mean gestational week of diagnosis was 22±3 weeks. About 43.7% of mothers had urinary tract infections, and a family history of any kidney disease was present in 24.5% of mothers' and 20.5% of fathers' family histories.38.7% of cases underwent surgery. At the end of the 6-month follow-up, 37.3% had regressed, 38.7% of them had stable hydronephrosis, and 18.9% of them had normal findings in USG. Male gender increased gestational urinary tract infections, and parents' family histories for any kidney disease were found as possible risk factors for the development of ANH. However, close follow-up and timely intervention, including surgery, provide favourable outcomes in these cases.