Prenatal Diagnosis of Hydronephrosis: Impact on Renal Function and Its Recovery After Pyeloplasty

The investigators reviewed the records of 89 consecutive children who, in the years 1990–1997, underwent pyeloplasty for unilateral ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction and hydronephrosis. A majority (57 percent) presented prenatally with hydronephrosis, whereas 43 percent presented postnatally. The study focused on whether earlier diagnosis was associated with better renal function and whether outcomes differ in patients diagnosed prenatally and postnatally. Differential renal function was assessed by radionuclide renography. The most common indications for pyeloplasty in the prenatal group were differential renal function