| An anatomic abnormality in the way the | | | | up through the ureters into the kidneys. The |
| kidneys, bladder and urethra are hooked up, | | | | dye does not produces damage the bladder or |
| that can cause recurrent bladder infections | | | | kidneys, and it is flushed out quickly with |
| is present to children sometimes. Three | | | | urinating. This test is invasive and can be |
| possible abnormalities are: tight or | | | | painful and scary for a child but it's the |
| posterior urethral valves, vessico-ureteral | | | | one that can detect problems with the urethra |
| reflux (VUR) and abnormal kidneys or ureters. | | | | and ureters. Unfortunately very little |
| | | | information about the kidneys is given by |
| In the first case normally the valve or | | | | this test. |
| sphincter keeps the bladder from emptying but | | | | |
| sometimes they can be too tight or in the | | | | Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) involves injected |
| wrong position. The bladder can not be empty | | | | dye through an IV into the blood stream. |
| completely and the urine can back up and | | | | Outlining the structure of the kidneys on |
| cause backpressure on the kidneys. This can | | | | x-ray is shown by the dye that travels |
| cause a dilation of the kidneys named | | | | through the kidneys and into the urine. VUR |
| hydronephrosis which can lead to serious | | | | or urethra problems can not be seen with this |
| kidney damage. Kidney damage can appear at | | | | test. |
| newborns born from in utero backpressure, or | | | | |
| can develop during the first few months of | | | | Nuclear medicine scan shows the kidneys in |
| life. Rarely this condition occurs in males, | | | | such a way that checks the kidney function |
| but does need to be diagnosed quickly. A weak | | | | and checks for scars in the kidneys. |
| urine stream is one clue to this problem. | | | | |
| | | | In the case of abnormality presence some |
| Vessico-ureteral reflux (VUR) occurs where | | | | tests are recommended by doctor. So an |
| the urine tubes, called ureters, from the | | | | ultrasound and VCUG should be done in these |
| kidneys empty into the bladder. The urine | | | | instances: newborns who have a single bladder |
| from the bladder is prevented by one-way | | | | infection, infants less than one year of age |
| valve to go back up into the ureters and | | | | who have a second bladder infection and older |
| kidneys. The urine can go backwards and cause | | | | children who have had more than three or four |
| backpressure on the kidneys, or | | | | infections. |
| hydronephrosis at children which are born | | | | |
| with immature ureter valves. Over time the | | | | A referral to a pediatric urologist or |
| backpressure can damage the kidneys. | | | | nephrologist is necessary when these tests |
| | | | are normal, but the child continues to have |
| There are very rare cases when the kidneys, | | | | problems with infections. An IVP will be done |
| or the tubes that drain them into the | | | | if the specialist will decide. A surgical |
| bladder, can develop abnormally. The urine is | | | | specialist is called urologist and a |
| prevented to drain properly into the bladder | | | | non-surgical specialist is called |
| and this can lead to infections. | | | | nephrologist. If an abnormality on these |
| | | | tests appear doctor may recommend a |
| Different radiology tests are used to look | | | | specialist for appropriate treatment. |
| for structural problems involving the bladder | | | | |
| and kidneys. Ultrasound is painless and | | | | A daily low-dose of antibiotics can be given |
| non-invasive. If a structural problem with | | | | to children who have recurrent bladder |
| the kidneys or ureters exists, or if any | | | | infections to control any bacteria that may |
| hydronephrosis (back-pressure) is present | | | | get into the bladder. Prophylactic |
| ultrasound can show that. VUR or a urethral | | | | antibiotics are used when children with known |
| valve problem cannot be found out with an | | | | anatomic abnormalities make them prone to |
| ultrasound. | | | | infections, and when children without |
| | | | abnormalities continue to have infections |
| Voiding Cysto-urethrogram (VCUG) is a test | | | | despite all the above non-medical prevention. |
| that involves restraining an infant or child, | | | | Usually children will take an antibiotic for |
| inserting a catheter through the urethra into | | | | six to twelve months and after treatment will |
| the bladder, injecting a dye into the | | | | come back to make other tests to see the |
| catheter, pulling out the catheter, and | | | | result. |
| allowing the infant to urinate the dye back | | | | |
| out. During the procedure x-rays are taken. | | | | It is difficult for children to do these |
| If any structural problem exists can be seen | | | | tests because they are not funny, but these |
| on the x-ray with the help of the dye that | | | | can help to discover the problems which can |
| outlines the bladder and urethra. If VUR is | | | | be treated. |
| present the x-ray will show the dye backing | | | | |