Symptoms of Vesicoureteral Reflux

Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) is said to occur in 1-2% of healthy children, although some believe that this number may be too low. There may be many children with low grade reflux that never have symptoms, and may never know that they have the condition. The most common symptom of VUR is urinary tract infection. Children that present with UTI are found to have VUR at a rate of 40-50%. The UTI, while uncomfortable, is not dangerous by itself. When coupled with VUR, it can be very dangerous because, the infected urine can travel back up the ureter into the kidney, which can cause kidney infection (pyelonephritis). A kidney infection can be dangerous, because it can cause renal scarring, and damage to the kidney. Because of the potential for damage to the kidneys, it is important to have children evaluated further after UTI, especially when accompanied by nausea and fever (both of which can signify that the infection has moved into the kidneys). Infants should be evaluated for UTI if there is a high fever, and no obvious explanation (no rash, virus, etc.).

Other symptoms can include:

• Bedwetting
• Hydronephrosis
• Failure to thrive
• High blood pressure
• Nausea and vomiting
• Proteinuria

As is the case with most children, we discovered Lizzie's reflux after a UTI moved into her kidneys, causing a high fever, poor feeding and lethargy.

Next... Testing for Vesicoureteral Reflux

Vesicoureteral Reflux, Symptoms of Reflux, Grades of Reflux, Testing for Reflux, Treatment for Reflux

The information on this web site should not be taken as medical advice, and you should contact your health care provider with any questions regarding your child's condition/health. The information on this site comes from the personal experience and opinions of parents, and does not come from doctors or medical experts, and should be taken as such.