A Family Screening of Patients with Vesicoureteral Reflux

Kang, Hee; Kim, Hyung Jin; Yoo, Kee Hwan; Hong, Young Sook; Lee, Joo Won; Kim, Soon Kyum

Abstract

PURPOSE : Vesicoureteral reflux is the most commonly inherited disease detected in children with urinary tract infection. The incidence of vesicoureteral reflux among siblings of children with known vesicoureteral reflux is 8% to 45% according to different authors. Family screening of a patient with vesicoureteral reflux is important in order to prevent reflux nephropathy. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of vesicoureteral reflux in asymptomatic family of children with vesicoureteral reflux and the factors which influence the family history.
METHODS
: The study group consisted of 27 families of patients with vesicoureteral reflux. The total number in the group were 79 persons. BUN, Cr, urineanalysis, voidingcystourethrography(VCUG) and 99mTc -dimercaptosuccinic acid(DMSA) renal scan were performed on the siblings. As for the parents the same tests were performed except the VCUG.
RESULTS
: The abnormality was detected in 7 of 27 families(25.9%). Vesicoureteral reflux was detected in 5 of 20 siblings and renal scar was detected in 3 of 32 parents. In children with vesicoureteral reflux, renal scar was detected in 24 of 32 children. Between the group with the abnormality in its family(Group A) and the group without the abnormality in its family(Group B), There was no difference of creatinine clearance between two groups. More renal scars were detected in group A according to the DMSA(A:100%, B:75%, t-test p<0.05). There was no difference of grade of VCUG between two groups. There was no difference between one site and both sites in two groups. In the case of the siblings with vesicoureteral reflux, there was high incidence of renal scar in a patient with vesicoureteral reflux according to the DMSA.
CONCLUSION
: It is important to screen vesicoureteral reflux and renal scar in case of urinary tract infection to prevent reflux nephropathy. This study implies that it is necessary to screen the family of a patient with vesicoureteral reflux especially with renal scar.