VALUE OF MATERNAL SONCGRAPHY IN THE DETECTION OF CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES OF THE URINARY TRACT

Abstract

During the 1 year period from 1982-1983, 9 cases of congenital urinary malformation referred to our hospital had been detected by maternal ultrasonography. All sonograms were done in the last trimester of pregnancy to evaluate fetal maturity and without suspicion of a possible malformation. All babies had further radiological investigations in the inmediate post natal period including renal sonogram, VCUG and radionuclide renal scan, which correlated well with the prenatal sonogram findings.All 9 patients had unilateral urinary malformations including 2 multicystic kidneys, 1 dysplastic kidney, 3 UPJ obstructions, 2 V.U. Reflux and 1 mesoblastic nephroma.Elective surgical procedures were performed in all cases. These patients accounted for 36% of the congenital urinary malformation diagnosed in the newborn period in our institution during this period of time.The maternal sonogram therefore, represents an important diagnostic tool in the detection of congenital urinary anomalies and may significantly affect the peri-natal management and thus minimize renal damage.