Prenatal diagnosis and postnatal outcome of congenital megalourethra - Report of two cases

We present 2 cases of congenital megalourethra diagnosed by prenatal ultras ound scan during the second trimester of pregnancy, The first one was assoc iated with features suggesting prune belly syndrome (PBS) in contrast to th e other one. Fetal urine biochemistry and fetal serum beta (2)-microglobuli n was used to rule out severe renal impairment that would have led to postn atal renal failure soon after birth. In both cases, after extensive counsel ling, the parents opted against termination of pregnancy and in both cases vaginal delivery of a live neonate occurred. Postnatal follow-up demonstrat ed that the two infants were found to have mildly altered renal function wi thout any physical or mental development delay. Association with features o f PBS didn't seem to influence the severity of renal function impairment ho wever, but PBS may influence parents' decision regarding termination becaus e of additional corrective surgery and further infertility, Copyright (C) 2 001 S. Karger AG, Basel.