Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a condition in which the flow of urine is in the wrong direction. Normally, urine flow is unidirectional — down from the kidneys and through the ureters to the Bladder. But when urine flows back from the bladder into the ureters, and sometimes to the kidneys, it is a medical condition known as VUR. This disorder can cause infection and damage to the kidneys. VUR normally occurs in infants and children. Sometimes, it can occur in older children and adults too. About 10 percent of children get affected by VUR.
Symptoms
In many children, VUR does not cause any symptoms. But when the symptoms are present, the most common one is Urinary Tract Infection(UTI). UTI also may cause no symptoms but when they appear the most common signs and symptoms of UTI are:
- Burning or pain when urinating
- Strong urge to urinate
- Fever
- Urinating small quantity
- Pain in the abdomen
- Blood in the urine
Other symptoms of VUR are:
- Constipation
- High blood pressure
- Loss of appetite
- Bedwetting
Causes
The cause of VUR depends on the type. VUR is of two types: Primary VUR and Secondary VUR. The cause of primary VUR is a congenital defect. The defect occurs in a functional valve between the bladder and the ureter that prevents urine backflow. A valve defect is classified as primary VUR. In secondary VUR, the bladder fails to empty properly. This could be due to a blockage, or because of a failure in the bladder muscle, which inadvertently pushes back urine into the ureters. It can also result from nerve damage in the nerves involved in the bladder voiding process.
Treatment
VUR is treated based on the age of the child, symptoms, type, and grade of VUR. In the case of primary VUR, children outgrow VUR as they grow because the valve between the bladder and the ureters gets longer. However, until VUR dissipates on its own, UTIs that develop have to be treated by antibiotics. UTIs have to be treated immediately to prevent frequent recurrence, and to prevent kidney infection. Another treatment prescribed is injecting a gel-like liquid in the bladder, near the opening of the ureter. The purpose of this is to create a bulge so that it acts as a valve between the bladder and the ureter and then it is hard for the urine to travel back from the bladder to the ureter.
In the case of secondary VUR also, antibiotics are prescribed to treat the UTIs. After finding the exact cause, surgery may be required to remove a blockage, or to correct an abnormal ureter or bladder.
Vesicoureteral Reflux cannot be prevented, but it should be treated as soon as possible as prevention of kidney damage is the most important concern for VUR. The main complications of VUR are kidney failure, high blood pressure, and kidney scarring.
Disclaimer: The information in no way constitutes, or should be construed as medical advice. Nor is the above article an endorsement of any research findings discussed in the article an endorsement for any of the source publications.
Sources-
- https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/vesicoureteral-reflux-(vur)
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/hydronephrosis-newborns/vesicoureteral-reflux
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vesicoureteral-reflux/symptoms-causes/syc-20378819
- https://www.webmd.com/children/vesicoureteral-reflux
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