To determine the incidence of urinary tract abnormalities detected in
the presence of moderate fetal renal pelvis dilatation, we followed up
pre-and postnatally 116 fetuses and children between 1985 and 1995. A
t prenatal ultrasound, 50 (43%) fetuses showed regressive dilatations,
57 (49%) a stable pattern, and 9 (8%) an evolutive pattern. In the pr
esence of an evolutive dilatation, urinary tract obstruction was prese
nt in 8 cases. When a stable pattern was observed, i.e., a patent urop
athy was present, surgical correction was performed in 27 of 53 (51%)
cases. Regarding the postnatal evolution of 50 prenatal regressive mod
erate dilatations, we observed in 12 of 50 (24%) vesicoureteric reflux
, of which 5 (10%) required surgical correction, and it is concluded t
hat careful and extensive follow-up is mandatory.