Renal damage in refluxing and non-refluxing siblings of index children with vesicoureteral reflux

Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for management of urinary tract infection and primary vesicoureteric reflux

We present updated, evidence-based clinical practice guidelines from the Indian Society of Pediatric Nephrology (ISPN) for the management of urinary tract infection (UTI) and primary vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) in children. These guidelines conform to international standards; Institute of Medicine and AGREE checklists were used to ensure transparency, rigor, and thoroughness in the guideline development. In view of the robust methodology, these guidelines are applicable globally for the management of UTI and VUR. Seventeen recommendations and 18 clinical practice points have been formulated. Some of the key recommendations and practice points are as follows. Urine culture with > 104 colony forming units/mL is considered significant for the diagnosis of UTI in an infant if the clinical suspicion is strong. Urine leukocyte esterase and nitrite can be used as an alternative screening test to urine microscopy in a child with suspected UTI. Acute pyelonephritis can be treated with oral antibiotics in a non-toxic infant for 7-10 days. An acute-phase DMSA scan is not recommended in the evaluation of UTI. Micturating cystourethrography (MCU) is indicated in children with recurrent UTI, abnormal kidney ultrasound, and in patients below 2 years of age with non-E. coli UTI. Dimercaptosuccinic acid scan (DMSA scan) is indicated only in children with recurrent UTI and high-grade (3-5) VUR. Antibiotic prophylaxis is not indicated in children with a normal urinary tract after UTI. Prophylaxis is recommended to prevent UTI in children with bladder bowel dysfunction (BBD) and those with high-grade VUR. In children with VUR, prophylaxis should be stopped if the child is toilet trained, free of BBD, and has not had a UTI in the last 1 year. Surgical intervention in high-grade VUR can be considered for parental preference over antibiotic prophylaxis or in children developing recurrent breakthrough febrile UTIs on antibiotic prophylaxis.

Vesicoureteral reflux, a benign condition

The combination of urinary tract infection (UTI) and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is commonly thought to predispose the child to pyelonephritis, renal scarring and, later in life, to hypertension or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This paradigm has led to the active search, follow-up and treatment of VUR, and also prevention of recurrent UTI in children. The causality of VUR and ESRD is controversial, however. According to recent meta-analyses it is uncertain whether we can prevent renal scarring or ESRD by treating VUR. Studies on VUR are abundant, but the findings and conclusions are confounding. Because of the lack of evidence of the role of VUR, reasonable doubt has recently been presented on the rationale of imaging all children with UTI and treating the children with VUR. The overall importance of VUR is confounded because of the natural tendency of VUR to resolve spontaneously, its dynamic nature, and its different grades in children. The historical studies showing that VUR is much more common, even among healthy children, than usually claimed, have been forgotten. Since it seems that we are referring too many healthy children to unpleasant and possibly unnecessary imaging tests for VUR, we are uncertain when and what kind of VUR-if any-we should treat, and whether our present rationale of addressing VUR truly makes any difference to renal scarring or ESRD in children, we should critically revisit the subject of VUR.

Vesicoureteric reflux in the adult

Vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) is a well-recognized entity in the paediatric population, but is not well described or understood in the adult population. This is partly explained by the fact that its incidence declines with advancing age. Its diagnosis is, however, still important, with VUR accounting for at least 10% of adult patients with end-stage renal disease. With early detection and careful management, the secondary complications of VUR such as renal failure can be prevented. Imaging plays a major role in the detection and evaluation of VUR in the adult patient. Conventional techniques such as micturating cystourethrograms have now been supplemented by cross-sectional imaging with CT and MRI. In this review article, we comprehensively review the up to date status of imaging the adult patient with VUR and discuss important subgroups of patients such as pregnant and transplant patients.