AvecLion
January 30th, 2007, 10:06 PM
After all the tests, we now have a diagnosis for Annadot's mystery disease.
Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the condition in which urine travels backward from the bladder toward the kidney and may affect one or both ureters. In most children, reflux is a birth defect and is caused by an abnormal attachment between the ureter and bladder with a short, ineffective flap valve.
When the "flap valve" malfunctions and allows urine to flow backward, bacteria from the bladder easily enters the kidney. A child with reflux is more likely to develop a kidney infection that can cause kidney damage. Although reflux can have serious medical consequences, it is a "silent" abnormality, that is, reflux does not cause pain, discomfort or problems with urination.
The basis for medical treatment is that reflux often will gradually disappear. The average age for this to occur is five to six years. The goal of medical treatment is to prevent UTI and kidney damage while growth and development allow reflux to disappear with time. Reflux improves or disappears in many children because the junction between the bladder and the ureter develops and increases in length as a child grows. The lower the grade of reflux, the more likely it is to disappear.
Medical treatment includes the use of low dosage antibiotics to prevent infection, bladder training and, on occasion, other medications. The child is seen in the office periodically for a physical examination and the urine is examined for infection. From time to time, the child undergoes X-ray studies of the bladder and/or kidneys to monitor the status of the reflux and growth of the kidneys.
Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the condition in which urine travels backward from the bladder toward the kidney and may affect one or both ureters. In most children, reflux is a birth defect and is caused by an abnormal attachment between the ureter and bladder with a short, ineffective flap valve.
When the "flap valve" malfunctions and allows urine to flow backward, bacteria from the bladder easily enters the kidney. A child with reflux is more likely to develop a kidney infection that can cause kidney damage. Although reflux can have serious medical consequences, it is a "silent" abnormality, that is, reflux does not cause pain, discomfort or problems with urination.
The basis for medical treatment is that reflux often will gradually disappear. The average age for this to occur is five to six years. The goal of medical treatment is to prevent UTI and kidney damage while growth and development allow reflux to disappear with time. Reflux improves or disappears in many children because the junction between the bladder and the ureter develops and increases in length as a child grows. The lower the grade of reflux, the more likely it is to disappear.
Medical treatment includes the use of low dosage antibiotics to prevent infection, bladder training and, on occasion, other medications. The child is seen in the office periodically for a physical examination and the urine is examined for infection. From time to time, the child undergoes X-ray studies of the bladder and/or kidneys to monitor the status of the reflux and growth of the kidneys.