The Scientific World Journal (Jan 2009)

Prenatal and Postnatal Management of Hydronephrosis

  • Pravin K. Rao,
  • Jeffrey S. Palmer

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2009.85
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9
pp. 606 – 614

Abstract

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The majority of pregnant women in the U.S. undergo prenatal ultrasonography and approximately 0.5% of these examinations will detect fetal malformations. Up to one-half of these abnormalities include the genitourinary system and the most common urological finding is hydronephrosis. Some conditions associated with prenatal hydronephrosis portend a poor prognosis, while others can follow a fairly benign course. This review focuses on the definition and prenatal assessment of hydronephrosis, fetal intervention, and postnatal management.