Management strategies for congenital isolated hydronephrosis and the natural course of the disease

Hydronephrosis refers to dilatation of the renal collecting system due to a build-up of urine resulting from drainage problems. Congenital hydronephrosis occurs in up to 1%–5% of all pregnancies [1,2]. More than half of the cases are transient and physiologic, whereas other cases are caused by disorders of the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) including intrinsic stenosis (10%– 30%), vesicoureteral reflux (VUR; 10%–30%), and congenital anomalies leading to secondary dilatation of the urinary tract [1,3,4]. To date, studies have shown that low-grade isolated hydronephrosis usually resolves during the first few years of life [5,6], whereas high-grade hydronephrosis requires intervenChild Kidney Dis [Epub ahead of print] pISSN 2384-0242 · eISSN 2384-0250 https://doi.org/10.3339/ckd.22.021