Serum creatinine levels in cases of posterior urethral valve: 29 years experience of a pediatric urology reference center.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this retrospective study is to describe the importance of serum creatinine levels for the long-term renal outcome in cases of posterior urethral valve.

METHODS

Records of 94 patients who underwent cystoscopic valve ablation were evaluated retrospectively. Demographic variables, radiologic findings, and serum creatinine levels were recorded. Patients were grouped according to the serum creatinine levels in the first month of life. Twenty-four patients' serum creatinine levels were found to be above 1 mg/dL in group 1 and ≤1 mg/dL in 70 patients in group 2.

RESULTS

The initial findings of 74 patients were as follows: pyelonephritis in 24 (32.43%) patients, hydronephrosis in 20 (27.02%), and inability to urinate in 18 (24.32%). Prenatal hydronephrosis was present in 36 cases (38.29%). Of the 92 voiding cystograms, 53.26% had findings that included vesicoureteral reflux. The mean serum creatinine levels of the patients in group 1 increased above 1 mg/dL in the 2nd year, the significant difference between the two groups lasted up to 7 years of age, and no significant difference was observed at the age of 7. The mean serum creatinine levels of the patients in group 2 were observed to increase above 1 mg/dL by the 10th year.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with posterior urethral valves, nadir creatinine, especially higher than 1 mg/dL, should be considered as high risk for end-stage renal disease. Therefore, clinicians should improve awareness about early detection and treatment of posterior urethral valves, and these patients should be monitored as early as possible for the risk of chronic kidney disease.