DEVELOPMENT OF RENAL-FUNCTION IN CHILDREN WITH FORMER POSTERIOR URETHRAL VALVES

Severe forms of posterior urethral valves involve the risk of upper ur inary tract damage and impaired renal function. For this reason, 26 bo ys formerly (between January 1980 and December 1989) treated for high- grade urethral obstruction were re-examined with reference to renal fu nction. Results were compared with observations in a control group of 26 boys matched for age and height undergoing minimal urological surge ry. While there were no significant differences in haemoglobin, height , blood pressure or kidney volumne, in 14 of 20 patients with normal g lomerular filtration rate pathologic findings were recorded, most of w hich related to urine concentrating capacity, tubular phosphate handli ng and hyperparathyroidism. These observations necessarily have implic ations for treatment of such children even if they are assumed to have unimpaired renal function. In future, monitoring of renal function in children with former posterior urethral valves should include differe nt tests, and in particular tests of concentration capacity and measur ement of parathyroid hormone.