M.Med. (Paediatrics), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2008 / Background: Posterior urethral valves (PUV) result in a spectrum of obstruction, and up to thirty percent of patients progress to renal failure. Objective: Descriptive study of patients with PUV, and to compare growth and renal function in the primary valve ablation versus vesicostomy group. Methods: Retrospective record review of patients with PUV at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital from January 1985 to December 2005. Results: A total of 128 boys were identified. The mean (range) age was 12.9 months (0 to 139.4). The mean duration of follow-up was 42 months, with 65% lost to follow- up. UTI and voiding problems were the most common modes of presentation. Young age at presentation and renal dysfunction after surgery were poor prognostic features. Hydronephrosis was present in 89.5%. Renal failure was present in 37% of patients at last visit. Primary valve ablation was performed in 44.2% and vesicostomy in 55.8%. No statistical difference in renal outcome or somatic growth was observed between the surgical groups. Conclusion: PUV is a common condition with significant morbidity. The renal outcome in black South African boys is similar to reports from developed countries. The type of initial surgical management did not impact on renal outcome or somatic growth.

Posterior urethral valves cause bladder outflow obstruction and damage to the developing fetal kidney. Posterior urethral valves affect 1 in 8000 new-born males. A third of these children develop end stage renal failure by adolescence, despite valve ablation in the early post-natal period, implying that majority of the damage to the kidneys occurs in utero. How does this damage occur, and should we intervene in utero? The answers to these questions require further research, and are the basis to this thesis. This thesis focused on the effect bladder outflow obstruction has on morphology and apoptosis in the fetal kidney in a fetal lamb model. It also looked at the effect of bladder outflow obstruction on fetal stress hormone levels. Bladder outflow obstruction was created surgically in fetal lambs at day 70 of gestation, and fetal kidneys were analysed at day 2, 5, 10, 20 and 30 after creation of obstruction. Controls undergoing sham surgery were used for comparison. Four aspects were investigated: - effects of bladder outflow obstruction on renal histology effects of bladder outflow obstruction on expression of pro-apoptosis gene Bax and anti-apoptosis gene Bcl-X - effects of bladder outflow obstruction on renal regional apoptosis effects of bladder outflow obstruction on serum fetal ACTH and cortisol levels. Bladder outflow obstruction resulted in sequential morphological change in the fetal kidney over time. By 2 days post-obstruction, cystic change was noted. In addition, patchy attenuation of the nephrogenic blastema was evident by 5 days post-obstruction, with more confluent blastemal attenuation as well as generalized renal architectural disorganization by 10 days post-obstruction. By 20 and 30 days post-obstruction, cystic renal dysplasia had developed. Bladder outflow obstruction resulted in an increase in the ratio of renal expression of pro-apoptosis gene Bax to anti-apoptosis gene Bcl-X. Regional apoptosis counts showed increased tubular apoptosis compared to controls at 2 days post-obstruction, and increased blastemal apoptosis compared to controls at 5 days post-obstruction. By 10 days post-obstruction, blastemal apoptosis counts were reduced compared to controls. There were no significant differences in fetal serum ACTH and cortisol levels between fetal lambs with bladder outflow obstruction and controls. In conclusion, the results of this thesis outline the spectrum of morphological change in the fetal kidney over 30 days of bladder outflow obstruction. They show that detectable changes in morphology occur within two days of bladder outflow obstruction. Likewise, detectable changes in gene expression occur within 2 days of bladder outflow obstruction. The increased ratio of expression of Bax to Bcl-X suggests a swing towards increased apoptosis in response to bladder outflow obstruction. Further research is required to ascertain if these changes are reversible. However, the early onset of these changes as shown in this thesis suggests that any fetal intervention to protect the fetal kidney from the effects of bladder outflow obstruction may need to be instituted very early in gestation

Thesis (MMed)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine long-term renal function in boys presenting with posterior urethral valves at Tygerberg Children’s Hospital and to determine the prognostic value of certain clinical, biochemical and radiological variables DESIGN Retrospective, descriptive study of boys diagnosed and treated with posterior urethral valves at Tygerberg Children’s Hospital between 2001 and 2011. RESULTS Between 2001 and 2011, 47 cases of posterior urethral valves were diagnosed and treated at our institution. Thirteen patients were excluded from this study. Seven (20,6%) were diagnosed antenatally and 27 (79,4%) presented postnatally. Mean age at presentation was 13,9 months (median 2; range 0-74). The most common postnatal presentation was urinary tract infection (51,9%). Mean follow-up was 54,2 months (median 47,5; range 12-133). A total of 13 boys (38,2%) progressed to chronic renal failure or end-stage renal disease. Initial and nadir serum creatinine, poor corticomedullary differentiation and moderate-severe hydronephrosis were significant predictors of final renal function (p<0,050). Patient age at presentation, type of primary surgical intervention, increased renal echogenicity, bladder wall thickness, the presence of vesicoureteric reflux (no matter what the laterality or severity), severe bladder dysfunction and initial or breakthrough urinary tract infection had no significant impact on future renal function. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis confirmed that boys with an initial serum creatinine ≥145μmol/L and a nadir serum creatinine ≥62μmol/L were at highest risk to develop chronic renal insufficiency (area under the curve 0,8 and 0,9, respectively). CONCLUSION More than a third of boys (38,2%) developed chronic renal failure or end-stage renal disease at the end of follow-up. Our data confirmed the high prognostic value of initial and nadir serum creatinine. Optimal threshold levels for initial and nadir serum creatinine to predict final renal function were 145μmol/L and 62μmol/L, respectively. Similarly, poor corticomedullary differentiation and moderate-severe hydronephrosis on initial kidney ultrasound were significant indicators of poor renal prognosis. Although all patients with posterior urethral valves should be counselled on potential renal morbidity, children with risk factors warrant closer monitoring. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: DOELWITTE Die doel van hierdie studie was om langtermyn nierfunksie te bepaal in seuns wat gediagnoseer is met posterior uretrale kleppe by Tygerberg-kinderhospitaal. Die prognostiese waarde van sekere kliniese, biochemiese en radiologiese veranderlikes is ook ondersoek. STUDIE ONTWERP Retrospektiewe, beskrywende studie van seuns wat tussen 2001 en 2011 by Tygerberg-kinderhospitaal gepresenteer het met posterior uretrale kleppe. RESULTATE Tussen 2001 en 2011 is 47 gevalle van posterior uretrale kleppe gediagnoseer en behandel by ons instelling. Dertien pasiënte is uitgesluit van hierdie studie. Sewe (20,6%) is met voorgeboorte sonar gediagnoseer en 27 (79,4%) het ná geboorte gepresenteer. Die gemiddelde ouderdom by diagnose was 13,9 maande (mediaan 2; reeks 0-74 ). Urienweginfeksie was die mees algemene metode waarmee postnatale pasiënte gepresenteer het (51,9%). Die gemiddelde opvolgperiode was 54,2 maande (mediaan 47,5; reeks 12-133). Dertien seuns (38,2%) het chroniese nierversaking of eind-stadium nierversaking ontwikkel. Aanvanklike en nadir serumkreatinien, swak kortiko-medullêre differensiasie en matig-erge hidronefrose was beduidende voorspellers van finale nierfunksie (p<0,050). Pasiënt ouderdom met diagnose, tipe chirurgiese ingryping, verhoogde niereggogenisiteit, blaaswanddikte, vesikoureteriese refluks, blaasdisfunksie en aanvanklike of deurbraak urienweginfeksies het geen beduidende impak op toekomstige nierfunksie gehad nie. Seuns met 'n aanvanklike serumkreatinien ≥145μmol/L en 'n nadir serumkreatinien ≥62μmol/L het die grootste risiko om chroniese nierversaking te ontwikkel, soos bevestig met ‘n ROC-ontleding (AUC 0,8 en 0,9, onderskeidelik). GEVOLGTREKKING Meer as 'n derde van die pasiënte (38,2%) het chroniese nierversaking of eindstadium nierversaking ontwikkel. Ons data bevestig die prognostiese waarde van aanvanklike en nadir serumkreatinienvlakke. Die optimale drempelwaardes vir die aanvanklike en nadir serumkreatinien om finale nierfunksie te voorspel was 145μmol/L en 62μmol/L, onderskeidelik. Swak kortiko-medullêre differensiasie en matig-erge hidronefrose op die aanvanklike niersonar was ook beduidende aanwysers van toekomstige nierfunksie. Alhoewel alle pasiënte met posterior uretrale kleppe berading moet ontvang oor potensiële niermorbiditeit, regverdig seuns met risikofaktore noukeurige monitering.

Introdução: Dentre as anomalias congênitas obstrutivas do trato urinário a Válvula de Uretra Posterior (VUP) apresenta elevado risco para a sobrevida do recém-nascido e é a causa mais comum de doença renal crônica terminal na infância. Seu tratamento envolve múltiplas especialidades e necessita seguimento no longo prazo. Com esses aspectos torna-se imperativo a permanente reavaliação de condutas. Objetivo: Descrever os aspectos clínicos e evolutivos dos pacientes portadores de Válvula de Uretra Posterior buscando avaliar a necessidade de adequações ao protocolo de atendimento. Casuística e Métodos: Constituída por 68 pacientes portadores de VUP atendidos no HCFMRP-USP no período entre 1990 e 2015. Foram revistos os dados relativos ao nascimento, encaminhamento, exames complementares, cirurgias realizadas e evolução clínica. Resultados: houve predomínio da raça branca (76,5%) e procedentes da DRS XIII (82,4%). A maioria das crianças vieram encaminhadas de outros hospitais (80,9%), alguns já submetidos à derivação urinária. Quanto à idade ao encaminhamento, 52,7% chegaram após o primeiro ano de vida embora o diagnóstico tenha sido feito em 76,5% antes do primeiro ano. Avaliação ultrassonográfica pré-natal foi realizada em 40 gestantes (48,8%) e oligoâmnio observado em16/40 (40,0%). Dentre os exames complementares para diagnóstico e seguimento ambulatorial ressaltamos a urografia excretora (16,2%), cintilografia renal (70,6%) e renograma (29,4%). Uretrocistografia foi realizada em todos os pacientes. Quanto aos principais procedimentos, derivação vesico-amniótica intrauterina foi realizada em 3 pacientes, cateterismo vesical de demora em 20, derivação alta em 4 pacientes, vesicostomia em 33, ressecção parcial do colo vesical em 9 e cauterização da VUP em 67. Dez pacientes foram transplantados. Discussão e Conclusões: os resultados apresentados são comparáveis àqueles divulgados na literatura pelas melhores instituições quanto ao diagnóstico, procedimentos cirúrgicos e evolução. O que fica evidente são as condições sócioeconômicas e culturais do nosso País onde a obtenção de melhores resultados terapêuticos tropeça em questões sociais e educacionais, necessitando de ações conjuntas visando educação continuada e organização social. Exame pré-natal adequado, diagnóstico precoce e rápido encaminhamento a centros que possam absorver estes pacientes são cruciais para a melhor evolução clínica. O protocolo mínimo de assistência deve ser objeto de difusão aos profissionais de saúde de diferentes especialidades visando o reconhecimento do quadro clínico. É desejável a inclusão, no protocolo de atendimento, de exames laboratoriais com capacidade prognóstica relacionada à evolução para doença renal crônica. / Introduction: Among congenital anomalies of the urinary tract, the posterior urethral valve (PUV) has a high risk for newborn´s mortality and is the most frequent cause of terminal chronic kidney disease in children. Its treatment involves multidisciplinary approach and long-term follow-up is necessary. Therefore, it is mandatory to permanently re-evaluate conducts. Objective: To describe the clinical and evolutive aspects of patients with PUV, aiming to evaluate the need for care protocol adjustments. Patients and Methods: The records of 68 boys with PUV who were treated at HCFMRP-USP between 1990 and 2015 have been reviewed. The data analyzed consisted of information regarding birth, age at referral, complementary exams, surgeries and clinical evolution. Results: There was a predominance of Caucasian (76.4%) and patients have been referred from region DRS XIII (82.4%). Most of the children have already been referred from other hospitals (80.8%), and some of them were already submitted to urinary diversion. Regarding the age of referral, 52.7% arrived after the first year of life, although the children were diagnosed before the first year of life in 70,6% of the cases. Prenatal ultrasound evaluation has been performed in 40 pregnant women (48.8%) and oligohydramnios was found in 16/40 (40,0%). Concerning the complementary exams for diagnosis and outpatient follow-up we highlighted excretory urography (16.2%), renal scintigraphy (70,6%) and renogram (29,4%). Voiding cistourethrography was performed in all patients. Regarding the main procedures, intrauterine vesico-amniotic shunt was performed in 3 patients, temporary drainage of urinary tract with vesical catheterization in 20, higher diversion in 4 patients, vesicostomy in 33, partial resection of the bladder neck in 9 and ablation during cystoscopy of the VUP in 67 patients. Ten patients were submitted to transplantation. Discussion and Conclusions: the results presented are comparable to those published in the literature by the best institutions regarding diagnosis, surgical procedures and patient evolution. What has become evident are the socioeconomic and cultural conditions of our country, where obtaining better therapeutic results stumbles on social and educational issues, requiring joint actions aimed continuing education and social organization. Proper prenatal examination, early diagnosis and early referral to institutions that can absorb these patients are crucial for the best clinical outcome. The minimum protocol of assistance should be disseminated to health professionals of different specialties in order to recognize the clinical picture. It is desirable to include, in the attendance protocol, laboratory tests with prognostic capabilities regarding evolution to chronic kidney disease.

Introdução: Dentre as anomalias congênitas obstrutivas do trato urinário a Válvula de Uretra Posterior (VUP) apresenta elevado risco para a sobrevida do recém-nascido e é a causa mais comum de doença renal crônica terminal na infância. Seu tratamento envolve múltiplas especialidades e necessita seguimento no longo prazo. Com esses aspectos torna-se imperativo a permanente reavaliação de condutas. Objetivo: Descrever os aspectos clínicos e evolutivos dos pacientes portadores de Válvula de Uretra Posterior buscando avaliar a necessidade de adequações ao protocolo de atendimento. Casuística e Métodos: Constituída por 68 pacientes portadores de VUP atendidos no HCFMRP-USP no período entre 1990 e 2015. Foram revistos os dados relativos ao nascimento, encaminhamento, exames complementares, cirurgias realizadas e evolução clínica. Resultados: houve predomínio da raça branca (76,5%) e procedentes da DRS XIII (82,4%). A maioria das crianças vieram encaminhadas de outros hospitais (80,9%), alguns já submetidos à derivação urinária. Quanto à idade ao encaminhamento, 52,7% chegaram após o primeiro ano de vida embora o diagnóstico tenha sido feito em 76,5% antes do primeiro ano. Avaliação ultrassonográfica pré-natal foi realizada em 40 gestantes (48,8%) e oligoâmnio observado em16/40 (40,0%). Dentre os exames complementares para diagnóstico e seguimento ambulatorial ressaltamos a urografia excretora (16,2%), cintilografia renal (70,6%) e renograma (29,4%). Uretrocistografia foi realizada em todos os pacientes. Quanto aos principais procedimentos, derivação vesico-amniótica intrauterina foi realizada em 3 pacientes, cateterismo vesical de demora em 20, derivação alta em 4 pacientes, vesicostomia em 33, ressecção parcial do colo vesical em 9 e cauterização da VUP em 67. Dez pacientes foram transplantados. Discussão e Conclusões: os resultados apresentados são comparáveis àqueles divulgados na literatura pelas melhores instituições quanto ao diagnóstico, procedimentos cirúrgicos e evolução. O que fica evidente são as condições sócioeconômicas e culturais do nosso País onde a obtenção de melhores resultados terapêuticos tropeça em questões sociais e educacionais, necessitando de ações conjuntas visando educação continuada e organização social. Exame pré-natal adequado, diagnóstico precoce e rápido encaminhamento a centros que possam absorver estes pacientes são cruciais para a melhor evolução clínica. O protocolo mínimo de assistência deve ser objeto de difusão aos profissionais de saúde de diferentes especialidades visando o reconhecimento do quadro clínico. É desejável a inclusão, no protocolo de atendimento, de exames laboratoriais com capacidade prognóstica relacionada à evolução para doença renal crônica. / Introduction: Among congenital anomalies of the urinary tract, the posterior urethral valve (PUV) has a high risk for newborn´s mortality and is the most frequent cause of terminal chronic kidney disease in children. Its treatment involves multidisciplinary approach and long-term follow-up is necessary. Therefore, it is mandatory to permanently re-evaluate conducts. Objective: To describe the clinical and evolutive aspects of patients with PUV, aiming to evaluate the need for care protocol adjustments. Patients and Methods: The records of 68 boys with PUV who were treated at HCFMRP-USP between 1990 and 2015 have been reviewed. The data analyzed consisted of information regarding birth, age at referral, complementary exams, surgeries and clinical evolution. Results: There was a predominance of Caucasian (76.4%) and patients have been referred from region DRS XIII (82.4%). Most of the children have already been referred from other hospitals (80.8%), and some of them were already submitted to urinary diversion. Regarding the age of referral, 52.7% arrived after the first year of life, although the children were diagnosed before the first year of life in 70,6% of the cases. Prenatal ultrasound evaluation has been performed in 40 pregnant women (48.8%) and oligohydramnios was found in 16/40 (40,0%). Concerning the complementary exams for diagnosis and outpatient follow-up we highlighted excretory urography (16.2%), renal scintigraphy (70,6%) and renogram (29,4%). Voiding cistourethrography was performed in all patients. Regarding the main procedures, intrauterine vesico-amniotic shunt was performed in 3 patients, temporary drainage of urinary tract with vesical catheterization in 20, higher diversion in 4 patients, vesicostomy in 33, partial resection of the bladder neck in 9 and ablation during cystoscopy of the VUP in 67 patients. Ten patients were submitted to transplantation. Discussion and Conclusions: the results presented are comparable to those published in the literature by the best institutions regarding diagnosis, surgical procedures and patient evolution. What has become evident are the socioeconomic and cultural conditions of our country, where obtaining better therapeutic results stumbles on social and educational issues, requiring joint actions aimed continuing education and social organization. Proper prenatal examination, early diagnosis and early referral to institutions that can absorb these patients are crucial for the best clinical outcome. The minimum protocol of assistance should be disseminated to health professionals of different specialties in order to recognize the clinical picture. It is desirable to include, in the attendance protocol, laboratory tests with prognostic capabilities regarding evolution to chronic kidney disease.