What is Antenatal Hydronephrosis?

Antenatal hydronephrosis can be detected in a fetus by ultrasound as early as in the first trimester of a pregnancy. During pregnancy, it is identified in 1 percent of males and 0.5 percent of females. Typically, this condition is not associated with abnormalities in other organ systems.

Prenatal intervention is rarely necessary, and amniotic fluid is typically normal. Depending on the condition, ultrasound scanning may be needed throughout pregnancy and after the baby's birth. In most cases, this diagnosis does not affect where, when, or how a baby is born. Some children need surgery in early infancy and childhood.

What are the symptoms of antenatal hydronephrosis?

Hydronephrosis is often picked up on antenatal scans, but it rarely causes problems for the baby in utero. It should not cause symptoms for the mother, but you will need to be scanned with ultrasound to ensure that the baby grows as expected and the kidneys are not getting too large.

What is the cause of antenatal hydronephrosis?

Urine flows from the kidneys through the ureters to the bladder and then out through the urethra (see diagram above). Between the ureters and bladder, there are valves that prevent urine from flowing back up into the ureters, and also a ring of muscle known as the sphincter at the junction of the bladder and the urethra, doing the same thing.

Hydronephrosis can happen because of many reasons:

Transient dilatation: During pregnancy, the female body is subject to hormonal changes that could temporarily weaken muscles; this also applies to the baby's ureters.
Blockage: It can be at the junction connecting the kidney and ureter between the bladder and the ureter (vesicoureteric junction) or in the urethra (posterior urethral valve).
Veisco-ureteric reflux (VUR): This is a condition where, due to failure of the valve between the ureter and bladder, urine tends to flow up into the kidney. Ureteric duplication: It refers to the condition that exists when there are two ureters coming out from one kidney down to the bladder. There can be blockage at the lower end of one of the ureters, called ureterocele.
Multicystic dysplastic kidney: It is a non-functioning kidney composed of multiple cysts. These may go away and disappear or may require surgical removal later on.

How is antenatal hydronephrosis diagnosed?

Since hydronephrosis is a condition due to obstruction of the urinary tract, it can be diagnosed in the antenatal stage using fetal ultrasound. When severe, such a block may need to be intervened with before or shortly after birth.

There are many causes of hydronephrosis. Other causes include problems at the bladder neck such as myeloma and cystinuria and blockages in the ureters.

In mild obstruction, a patient may never become aware of symptoms; however, in more extreme obstructive conditions, the patient may present with starting difficulty urination and fever. Sometimes, hydronephrosis can lead to some complications at birth, such as preeclampsia, high blood pressure, and even kidney failure.

How is antenatal hydronephrosis treated?

If you or your baby is suspected to have antenatal hydronephrosis, it is essential to go see a specialist sooner. In general, early diagnosis and treatment mean that serious complications can be prevented from later in life. The condition can be relatively well controlled with drugs or surgery in many cases. Treatment With appropriate treatment, most children will lead long and healthy lives.

However, if left untreated, it leads to permanent morbidity for you and your baby. These may include anemia, chronic renal failure, jaundice, heart failure, and death. So, seek professional help without any delay if you feel alarmed by either your health or your baby's health.

Can antenatal hydronephrosis be prevented?

Antenatal hydronephrosis is a condition that develops in pregnant women. It is characterized as a form of kidney failure and can lead to deaths if urgent remedies are not soon administered. The good news is that it is preventable, and there are ways on how you can help lower your chances of getting a certain case of AH.

One fundamental way to prevent AH is to maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy. This will prevent your kidneys from being damaged and gives you better chances of giving birth to a normal baby. You should also exercise regularly during pregnancy. This will keep your muscles strong while preventing you from developing osteoporosis later in life. Lastly, take care of yourself before and after you get pregnant. It refers to simple check-ups on time, adequate food ingestion balanced during the day and nights with restful sleeping hours. Such simple actions would ensure the person does not suffer from AH during pregnancy.

Why choose Tender Palm Super Speciality Hospital for Antenatal Hydronephrosis treatment in Lucknow, India?

Tender Palm Super-Speciality Hospital has the most trusted team of Pediatric Urologists with advanced diagnostic equipment and child-friendly care for Antenatal Hydronephrosis treatment in Lucknow, India. Our Pediatric Urology department follows international safety standards and has years of experience in successfully managing children's Urological diseases.