What is VUR?
Kidney are important for urine formation. Normally, urine flows into the bladder through ureters. However, in some children, urine from the bladder flows back through the ureters. This condition is known as Vesicouretral reflux (VUR). It can be unilateral or bilateral.
What causes VUR?
Any abnormality in the connection between the bladder and ureter at the time of birth can lead to VUR. Infrequent or incomplete urination and constipation may also cause VUR. If you had VUR as a child, there is a chance that your children will have VUR.
What do I know if my child is having VUR?
Your child may have VUR if he/she has the following symptoms:
- Does not want to urinate/pain during urination
- Feels pain in the abdomen.
- Gets recurrent fever.
Is VUR serious?
VUR is a serious condition. It damages the function of kidneys and can lead to high blood pressure later in life. The risk of kidney damage is greatest during the first 6 years of life.
How do I know of my child has an infection?
- Foul smelling or cloudy urine.
- Fever.
- Burning or pain when urinating.
- Frequent and urgent urinating.
- Vomiting.
Infants may have following symptoms.
- Diarrhea.
- Poor feeding.
- Fever.
- Increased irritability.
Also ultrasound scan done during pregnancy showing swelling in kidneys can be because of VUR.
Testing for VUR?
VUR is diagnosed using an X-ray of the bladder known as voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). In this procedure, a thin, soft tube (catheter) is placed in the bladder through the urethra. Dye is then introduced into the bladder through the tube. X-ray pictures are taken to see if the dye flows back into the ureters. Based upon the severity, VUR is categorized into five grades. Milder grade of VUR does not require any treatment. Children with frequent urinary tract infections and hydronephrosis should also be considered for VCUG test. Grade I, Grade II, Grade III, Grade IV, Grade V.
What are the treatment option for VUR?
There are 3 options for managing or treating VUR. However, it is important to discuss them with your doctor. Make sure you understand the risks, benefits, and follow-up of each treatment.
Antibiotic :It is used to prevent infections until VUR goes away by itself. This treatment may take several years, and children must take medication every day. These children need to be reassessed for VUR on a regular basis. However, longterm treatment with antibiotics may cause the bacteria to become resistant, leading to more infections.
Surgery : This type of treatment cures most children. However, the operation can be stressful or painful to the child. Surgery is good option for higher reflux grades.
Endoscopic treatment (Deflux Injection): In this procedure, the medication is injected where the ureter joins the bladder. Children usually go home the same day.
What is Deflux procedure?
Deflux is a safe and effective treatment for VUR. A gel is introduces into the body where the ureters meet the bladder. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia. Deflux gel is placed at the spot where the ureters connect to the bladder with the help of a small camera called a cystoscope (a type of endoscope used to view the bladder). Eventually, new tissue grows around the gel, providing long-term results for many children. Usually, there will be no pain after procedure. However, your child may feel some stinging during the first few times he or she urinates.
Deflux effective in the treatment of VUR?
Deflux is made from dextranomer and hyaluronic acid. The hyaluronic acid is naturally broken down over time and replaced by the body’s own material, while the dextranomer remains in place. Deflux is used for the treatment of all grades of VUR in children. Many children have success after one injection; while some may need more injection procedures. However lower the grade of VUR, the better it works. Also, the procedure works better for children who have reflux in only one ureter.
Is Deflux safe for treatment for VUR?
Deflux has been used safely in more then 200,000 children around the world. Studies show that the gel is safe in the body. However, there is a small risk of infection and bleeding from the procedure. Although a rare event, the gel might block the ureter and cause the urine to back up in the kidney.
When should I follow-up?
- Be surer to call your doctor if your child.
- Is unable to urinate/complaints of pain while passing urine
- Feels pain in his or her stomach.
- Has recurrent fever
If necessary, another VCUG/DRCG Scan may be performed a few months after the procedure to see if the reflux remains.