CATCH-UP GROWTH IN CHILDREN WITH VESICOURETERAL REFLUX

A longitudinal retrospective study of height Z score (HZ score) and we ight-for-height index (WHI) was performed on 94 pre-pubertal children with vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) and normal creatinine clearance foll owed for 1-6.8 years (mean 3.1 years). Thirty patients had bilateral V UR with scintigraphic signs of renal scarring (B+), 17 had bilateral V UR without renal scarring (B-), 27 had unilateral VUR with (U+) and 20 unilateral VUR without (U-) renal scarring. Thirty-three patients rec eived only antimicrobial medication and 61 underwent successful antire flux operation. The increase in HZ score and WHI during the Ist year o f follow-up was significantly (P=0.001 and 0.00003, respectively) high er than during the 2nd year. At first visit, B+ subjects had an averag e WHI and HZ score that were significantly (P=0.02 and 0.04, respectiv ely) lower than the other groups of patients together. At last visit t his difference was not significant, In B+ subjects, the WHI and HZ sco re at last visit were significantly (P=0.04 for both) higher than at t he first visit. B+ patients fully recover their body growth deficit co mpared with other groups of VUR subjects after medical and/or surgical therapy.