Pediatric vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is marked by urine backing up into the kidney instead of flowing from the kidney and then out of the body.
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Vesicoureteral reflux is similar to the concept of acid reflux in the digestive system. But, instead of acid backing up in the esophagus, urine flows in the wrong direction,
Urine collects in the kidneys after they filter waste and extra water out of blood. In a healthy kidney, urine flows from the kidney to the ureter, a tube that takes the urine to the bladder. However, with VUR, urine backs up into the kidney.
This leads to unitary tract infections (UTIs), kidney infections and even kidney damage, if not treated.
Vesicoureteral reflux is classified by two types:
Primary vesicoureteral reflux is a genetic condition that occurs when a child is born with a ureter that didn’t grow long enough. When this happens, the valve that manages the flow of urine between the ureter and bladder doesn’t close properly. This is the most common form of VUR in children and often corrects itself as the child gets older and the ureter gets longer.
Secondary vesicoureteral reflux is a blockage in the urinary tract pushes urine back into the ureters and the kidneys. Causes of secondary VUR include nerve damage, infection or pressure on the ureter from another organ.
In most cases, a unitary tract infection is the first sign of pediatric vesicoureteral reflex. Other symptoms include:
Vesicoureteral reflex can lead to bladder or kidney infections. These infections of the urinary tract can cause different symptoms.
*Age of infants as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).
**Age of young children and adolescents as defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
