Hydronephrosis is a disease that is characterized by a pathological expansion of the collecting system of the kidneys, from which there is a violation of the outflow of urine, an increase in hydrostatic pressure. In a simple explanation, the kidneys consist of pelvis and calyx, which constitute a collecting system, where urine accumulates. In case if the volume of the liquid exceeds the allowable limit, the calyx and pelvis will stretch . The disease occurs in both children and adults. We will talk about hydronephrosis of kidneys in newborns.
Causes, types and symptoms of hydronephrosis in newborns
In general, hydronephrosis is congenital and acquired. As for children, especially young children, they have hydronephrosis usually innate. The causes of congenital hydronephrosis in newborns are abnormalities in the structure of the kidneys or their vessels during fetal development, namely:
- wrong location of the ureter;
- narrowing of the ureter;
- the formation of an additional arterial vessel, which squeezes the ureter, and thereby prevents the outflow of urine.
Hydronephrosis is one-sided, when one kidney is affected, and bilateral, in which the outflow of urine is disturbed in both organs. The degree of development of the disease is distinguished:
- hydronephrosis 1 degree in a newborn is characterized by an enlargement of the pelvis, preservation of the integrity of the parenchyma and preservation of the kidney function;
- with hydronephrosis of 2 degrees in the newborn, there is an increase in the size of the kidneys, a significant expansion of pelvis, damage to the parenchyma, and a decrease in renal function to 40%;
- hydronephrosis of the 3rd degree in newborns is manifested by atrophy of the parenchyma, a noticeable increase in the kidneys, and a decrease in renal function to almost 80%, or even its absence.
Symptoms of kidney hydronephrosis in newborns include:
- impurities of blood in the urine;
- increase of leukocytes in urine;
- temperature increase;
- pain when urinating.
Hydronephrosis of the kidney in a newborn: treatment
Treatment of pathology depends on the degree of its development. At 1 degree, regular ultrasound and examination in a pediatric urologist is necessary. At 2 degrees of kidney hydronephrosis, therapy depends on the dynamics of the child's development - positive or negative. If the condition worsens and the 3rd degree of the disease, surgical intervention is necessary.
Operation of kidney hydronephrosis in a newborn is carried out, as a rule, by the endoscopic method, when in a special section there is no need.