Chronic Renal Failure due to Obstructive Uropathy in Children

Abstract

Obstructive uropathy is an important cause of chronic renal failure (CRF) in children, and is both preventable and reversible to some extent. We conducted a prospective study of all new Paediatric cases of CRF between 1991-2000 to find out the contribution of obstructive uropathy to childhood CRF. There were 25 (22 male & 3 females) cases of obstructive uropathy out of a total of 135 patients, with a mean age of 4.5 years. The commonest cause was posterior urethral valves (68%), followed by Urolithiasis (20%), bladder neck obstruction (8%) and post-traumatic strictures (4%). Posterior urethral valves accounted for 77.3% of the obstructive uropathy in male children. Early detection is possible using antenatal screening, renography and ultrasonography, allowing therapeutic interventions before renal failure sets in.