How is VUR surgery done?

Performed using general anesthesia, this surgery requires an incision in the lower abdomen through which the surgeon repairs the problem. This type of surgery usually requires a few days’ stay in the hospital, during which a catheter is kept in place to drain your child’s bladder.

How do you fix bladder reflux?

Doctors can use surgery to correct your child’s reflux and prevent urine from flowing back to the kidney. In certain cases, treatment may include the use of bulking injections. Doctors inject a small amount of gel-like liquid into the bladder wall near the opening of the ureter.

Do kids grow out of VUR?

Many children grow out of VUR over time, often by age 5. Finding VUR early and monitoring it closely with your child’s doctors–and getting treatment if needed–will help avoid any lasting problems.

When do children outgrow VUR?

As a result, children with VUR develop urinary tract or kidney infections and have a higher chance for kidney damage . One out of 100 children may get VUR and are usually diagnosed around two or three years old . Luckily, many children outgrow VUR around age five or six, as their bladders and ureters develop .

Is vesicoureteral reflux a birth defect?

Primary VUR is present at birth. It is caused by a defect in the development of the valve at the end of the tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder (ureter).

Can VUR come back after surgery?

After Treatment After surgery the patient is generally in the hospital for a few days. A catheter is often used to drain the bladder during this time. Several months after the operation an X-ray is done to make sure that the operation was successful. Once the reflux is corrected, it is not likely to come back.

What causes urinary reflux in infants?

There are many reasons why a child may develop VUR. Some of the more common causes include: Being born with a neural tube defect like spina bifida. Having other urinary tract problems, such as posterior urethral valves, ureterocele, or ureter duplication.

Can urinary reflux come back after surgery?

After surgery the patient is generally in the hospital for a few days. A catheter is often used to drain the bladder during this time. Several months after the operation an X-ray is done to make sure that the operation was successful. Once the reflux is corrected, it is not likely to come back.

Is VUR genetic?

What causes vesicoureteral reflux? The cause of VUR is unknown, however there is a strong genetic component. Although no specific genes have been identified, VUR is common among children and siblings of parents with VUR. During infancy, VUR is more frequently in boys.

What happens if vesicoureteral reflux is left untreated?

Left untreated, VUR can lead to kidney damage and infection, because bacteria can grow in the trapped urine. Infants and very young children are more likely to have VUR than older children or adults. It is most common in children aged 2 to 3 years.

Is VUR curable?

Your urinary tract is a one-way street from the kidneys down to the urethra. VUR (vesicoureteral reflux) is when the urine goes in the wrong direction back up the ureters. Newborns, infants and young children are most affected but, thankfully, VUR usually isn’t painful, long-term or incurable.

Is urinary reflux serious?

Vesicoureteral reflux is usually diagnosed in infants and children. The disorder increases the risk of urinary tract infections, which, if left untreated, can lead to kidney damage.