Ureteral Reflux

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Symptoms

What are the symptoms of Ureteral Reflux?

The following are the most common symptoms of vesicoureteral reflux. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

urinary tract infection (urinary tract infections are uncommon in children younger than 5 years and unlikely in boys at any age, unless VUR is present)

  • trouble with urination including: urgency
  • dribbling
  • wetting pants
  • an abdominal mass may be detected from a swollen kidney
  • poor weight gain
  • high blood pressure

The symptoms of Ureteral Reflux may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.

How is vesicoureteral reflux diagnosed?

Ureteral Reflux can often be detected by ultrasound before a child is born. If there is a family history of Ureteral Reflux, but your child has no symptoms, your child's physician may elect to perform a diagnostic test to rule out Ureteral Reflux. Diagnostic procedures for Ureteral Reflux may include:

Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG) - a specific x-ray that examines the urinary tract. A catheter (hollow tube) is placed in the urethra (tube that drains urine from the bladder to the outside of the body) and the bladder is filled with a liquid dye. X-ray images will be taken as the bladder fills and empties. The images will show if there is any reverse flow of urine into the ureters and kidneys.

Renal ultrasound - a non-invasive test in which a transducer is passed over the kidney producing sound waves which bounce off the kidney, transmitting a picture of the organ on a video screen. The test is used to determine the size and shape of the kidney, and to detect a mass, kidney stone, cyst, or other obstruction or abnormalities.