EVALUATION OF THE INCIDENCE AND OUTCOME OF FETAL HYDRONEPHROSIS PRENATALLY DIAGNOSED BY ULTRASOUND

The outcome and proper management of fetal hydronephrosis have not been completelydefined. the purpose of this study was to determine incidence and outcome of infants with a history ofprenatal hydronephrosis diagnosed by ultrasound. in a three-year period from 2000 to 2003 weidentified 211 cases (271 renal units) of fetal hydronephrosis in which renal pelvic anteroposteriordianleter was more than normal diameter at various stages of pregnancy. incidence of fetalhydronephrosis was 3.8 percent in the 55500 fetuses screened by ultrasound. a total of 187 fetuses (240renal units) followed up underwent postnatal sonography and only in ten cases renal pelvicanteroposterior diameter was greater than 15 n1m that required surgical correction. the most importantadvantage of knowing that a fetus has ultrasound findings of persistent hydronephrosis is ability tobegin timely evaluation of the newborn to identify severity of hydronephrosis and prevent progressivedeterioration of renal function.