Prenatal screening for kidney problems in early childhood

According to a new study published by Shantini Paranjothy and colleagues at Cardiff University in the UK, babies whose kidneys have persistent areas filled with fluid during pregnancy may have problems with the device. urinary and to be admitted to the hospital, free access. newspaper PLOS Medicine July 30th.

In the United Kingdom, pregnant women undergo a 20-week examination to identify any structural abnormalities in the developing fetus. Some of the findings of the badysis are indicators of later health problems and, although there are sometimes areas of kidneys filled with fluid, it is unclear whether it is a reliable indicator of adverse health outcomes. The population-based cohort study on which new research is based combines ultrasounds with data on hospital admissions in the first three years of life. The results of this study could be used to develop guidance for parents and areas of care, known as renal pelvis dilatation, are observed.

The researchers used the population-based prospective cohort of the Welsh study on mothers and babies and included 21,239 children in their badysis. A 20-week scan revealed mild to moderate dilatation in 7.6 infants and the risk of hospitalization was 7-fold higher in children with dilated renal pelvis than in those who did not. not (conditional risk ratio of 7.23). 95% CI 4.31-12.15). Risks increased in patients with late dilatation, but in most children, dilatation did not persist and hospitalization rates related to urinary tract symptoms were similar to those without dilation.

Despite the large size of the study, the number of cases (138) was relatively small and statistical power was therefore limited. Protocols for notification and management of renal pelvis dilatation are being developed. Further studies should determine whether other characteristics at 20-week testing could improve detection of renal pathology during prenatal screening.