Clinical Course of Pregnant Women with Maternal Hydronephrosis: Retrospective Clinical Study

Abstract

Aim: The study aims to investigate the clinical course of symptomatic physiological hydronephrosis in pregnant women and the results of treatment in patients required treatment. Material and Methods: A hundred and two consecutive pregnant women who presented with clinical signs and symptoms related to the upper urinary system were included in the study. Renal ultrasonography, urinalysis, serum creatinine levels, white blood cell count, and urine culture were done in all patients at the first visit and repeated at least once a month until 1 month after delivery. In patients with acute pyelonephritis, urinalysis was repeated every 3 days until white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels normalized; urine culture and kidney ultrasonography were performed monthly until 1 month after delivery. Conservative measures (positioning, analgesia, antibiotics) were used in all patients with symptomatic physiological hydronephrosis. If the patient's condition was resistant to medical treatment and the degree of hydronephrosis was increased, drainage was performed by inserting a double J stent into the ureter. Results: Conservative treatments were successful in 98 (96.1%) of 102 patients, but 4 (3.9%) had signs and symptoms of acute pyelonephritis progressing to urosepsis. Antibiotics were continued in patients who developed pyelonephritis, symptoms regressed rapidly, signs of kidney infection returned to normal. Follow-up pregnancies ended with normal vaginal delivery. Conclusion: Symptomatic hydronephrosis in pregnancy can be treated conservatively, should be treated carefully and patients should be followed up. However, ureteral double-J stenting is an effective and safe treatment method in patients with resistant symptoms.