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Ency. home > Disease > R > Reflux nephropathy

Reflux nephropathy    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Chronic atrophic pyelonephritis; Vesico-ureteric reflux; Nephropathy - reflux; Ureteral reflux

Treatment

Simple, uncomplicated reflux (called primary reflux) less than Grade III may be treated by:

  • careful watching
  • repeated urine cultures
  • antibiotics to prevent infection
  • annual ultrasound of kidneys to follow development
More severe reflux may require surgery. This can include:
  • ureteral reimplantation
  • reconstructive repair

Prognosis

The outcome varies. Most cases of vesicoureteric reflux resolve spontaneously. However, the damage to the kidney may be permanent. If only one kidney is involved, the other kidney may continue to function adequately.

Reflux nephropathy may cause as many as 20% of the cases of renal failure in children and young adults.

Complications

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

Call your health care provider if symptoms indicate reflux nephropathy may be present.

Call your health care provider if decreased urine output or other new symptoms develop.

Ency. home > Disease > R > Reflux nephropathy

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