What happens before birth?
In most cases a routine normal delivery can be performed. Rarely, in a fetus with severe obstruction and insufficient amniotic fluid, early delivery or in utero intervention may be indicated. What happens after the baby is born? Good decisions are based on good information. Often more than one test is required to obtain the pertinent information. All infants should have a renal ultrasound in the postnatal period. A voiding cystourethrogram (a bladder x-ray, required to rule out reflux and posterior urethral valves) is essential. Many infants will require a diuretic (lasix) renal scan (to evaluate kidney function and drainage). What are the possible causes of the hydronephrosis? Reflux: vesicoureteral reflux occurs when the valve between the bladder and the ureter does not function properly. This anatomic abnormality allows urine to flow back up to the kidney. The presence of reflux can lead to infection and kidney damage. Treatment with small doses of antibiotics usually prevents infec
