Posterior urethral valves: failure of antenatal diagnosis

Posterior urethral valves occur in approximately one in 5-8000 live births. (1) An optimal long-term outcome for infants with this condition depends on early diagnosis and management. This is now possible because antenatal ult rasound can detect the bladder and renal abnormalities associated with post erior urethral valves. Prompt referral once posterior urethral valves are s uspected is imperative to allow fetal surgical assessment and to decrease t he risk of postnatal sepsis and renal impairment.(2) We report two cases wh ere delay in referral to a tertiary perinatal medicine service significantl y contributed to the morbidity of the two infants involved.