Frequency of posterior urethral valves in newborns with hydronephrosis in nicu and early outcomes: A tertiary center experience

Abstract

Aim: To assess the frequency of posterior urethral valves (PUV) in male infants diagnosed with hydronephrosis in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the early outcomes. Materials and Methods: The study included male patients who had been diagnosed with hydronephrosis in the antenatal or postnatal period in our NICU between 2017 and 2020. We investigated antenatal hydronephrosis detection statuses, birth histories, ultrasonographic findings, and the lowest creatinine values detected during the NICU treatment of PUV-diagnosed patients. Results: A total of 73 infants had hydronephrosis and 20.5% of the patients (n=15) had PUV, and 26.6% (n=4) of the PUV patients had below 5 mm renal pelvic diameters. These patients were diagnosed with clinical suspicion (interrupted urination, decreased diuresis, or globe vesicle). In PUV-diagnosed patients, dysplastic kidneys and increased renal echogenicity are associated with poor outcomes (death or dialysis need). Conclusion: Hydronephrosis finding in ultrasonography may not be sufficient, so complete clinical evaluation is needed in newborns not to miss PUV cases.