HOW COMMON IS HYDRONEPHROSIS AND WHAT CAUSES IT?
Some studies suggest that as many as 2% of all prenatal ultrasound examinations reveal some degree of hydronephrosis, making it one of the most commonly detected abnormalities in pregnancy. It is not clear why the ureter becomes blocked during development. It is more often seen in boys than girls. Babies with severe UPJ obstructions have an overall increased chance of having a chromosomal abnormality (like Trisomy 21, or Down syndrome). HOW IS HYDRONEPHROSIS DETECTED DURING PREGNANCY? Ultrasound can detect the fetal kidneys and bladder by 14 or 15 weeks gestation, though 20 weeks of pregnancy is the ideal time to detect hydronephrosis on ultrasound, since the fetus is larger and the kidneys can be visualized in detail. When a UPJ obstruction is identified, the kidneys are closely examined for other findings more common with UPJ, such as cysts (known as multicystic, dysplastic kidney) or an abnormal shape (commonly called a horseshoe kidney). HOW WILL MY PREGNANCY BE MANAGED NOW THAT HY
