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Age at diagnosis of vesicoureteric reflux after urinary infections: historical changes
Author(s) -
Marra G,
Oppezzo C,
Barberis V,
Bianchetti MG
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2003.tb00609.x
Subject(s) - vesicoureteric reflux , medicine , reflux , urinary system , pediatrics , significant difference , vesicoureteral reflux , urology , disease
Aim : Efforts are currently made to detect vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) early after urinary infections in order to limit secondary renal damage. This study investigated the extent to which recommendations for the detection of VUR are put into practice, and their influence on the age at diagnosis. Methods : The age at diagnosis of VUR after urinary tract infections was analysed in 126 patients (48M, 78F) referred to a tertiary centre in Milan between 1976 and 1999. Results : The median age at diagnosis was 34 mo in subjects born before and 8 mo ( p < 0.001) in those born after 1988. The difference was statistically significant in female but not in male subjects. The figures from Milan were compared with those for 102 patients (35M, 65F) born between 1946 and 1970, treated in Melbourne and reported in 1976. In Melbourne the median age at diagnosis was 1–2 y for boys and 5–6 y for girls; in Milan, the corresponding figures were <1y and 1–2 y. The difference between Melbourne and Milan was statistically significant for both genders. Conclusion : In Milan VUR is now detected earlier than in the past. This trend is more marked in females than in males, but reflux is still detected earlier in boys.