What is Vesicoureteral Reflux? Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Vesicoureteral reflux is a urinary tract infection that is common in infants and children and can even lead to kidney damage if left untreated. This reflux, which is a urinary system disorder, can be seen in 1-2% of children. The function of the kidneys is to clean the toxic substances in the blood and to remove these substances from the body through urine.

The urine formed in the kidneys is delivered to the bladder through tubes called ureters and collected here. There is a valve structure between the bladder and the ureter that prevents the urine from flowing back to the kidneys. If the valve fails to function and backs up into the ureteral tubes and kidneys, it causes vesicoureteral reflux disease.

Vesicoureteral reflux may be an inconvenience that occurs at birth. The valve structure that prevents the passage of urine between the ureteral tubes and the bladder may be short. In this case, it cannot prevent the passage of urine and causes this disease.

If the disease is present at birth, the disease may be genetic. If there is a family history of reflux, the child is more likely to have this disease. If there is reflux in the family, it would be beneficial to consult a specialist even if the child does not show signs of illness.

Vesicoureteral Reflux Symptoms

Vesicoureteral reflux may not always give a visible symptom. Symptoms of vesicoureteral reflux include;

• Small but frequent urge to urinate
• Burning sensation while urinating
• Urinary incontinence and incontinence
• Smelly and bloody urine
• High fever if the infection has affected the kidneys
• Pain in the waist and abdomen
• Vomiting

Symptoms other than urinary tract infections as a result of vesicoureteral reflux disease;

• May have high blood pressure problems
• There is protein in the urine.
• Constipation occurs.

Vesicoureteral reflux symptoms in newborn babies are; restlessness, loss of appetite, fever, weight gain problems, diarrhea and vomiting. If you complain of these symptoms, it is useful to see a specialist immediately.

Causes of Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children

• Congenital weakness of the bladder muscle is the most common condition. Vesicoureteral reflux is seen because the bladder valve cannot fulfill its function.
• In some children, enlargement of the ureter towards the bladder causes this disease.
• If the bladder capacity is insufficient and small, there will be high pressure and vesicoureteral reflux occurs by deteriorating the bladder cover.
• Sometimes it is caused by having two ureters.
• Problems such as Prune-Belly syndrome and bowel bladder disorder lead to weakening of the abdominal muscles and can cause vesicoureteral reflux.

Vesicoureteral Reflux Treatment

Vesicoureteral reflux treatment is done by considering the severity of the disease, the age of the patient, the condition of the kidneys and many other factors. If there is no kidney damage and there is a mild reflux, drug therapy is applied for bladder rehabilitation and protection from infections.

If there is an infection in the urinary tract, antibiotic treatment is definitely applied. It is important not to interrupt the antibiotic treatment and to use the drugs correctly. The aim of the surgical intervention in the treatment of vesicoureteral reflux is to repair the valve between the ureter and the bladder in order to prevent the reflux of urine and to prevent the obstruction of the ureters.