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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffVesicoureteral (ves-ih-koe-yoo-REE-ter-al) reflux is the abnormal flow of urine from your bladder back up the tubes (ureters) from your kidneys. Normally, urine flows only down from your kidneys to your bladder.
Most commonly a condition of infancy and childhood, vesicoureteral reflux increases the risk of urinary tract infections. Untreated, it can lead to kidney damage.
Vesicoureteral reflux can be primary or secondary. Children with primary vesicoureteral reflux are born with a defect in the valve that normally prevents urine from flowing backward from the bladder into the ureters. Secondary vesicoureteral reflux is due to a urinary tract blockage, often caused by infection.
Children may outgrow primary vesicoureteral reflux. Treatment, which includes medication or surgery, aims at preventing kidney damage.
- McLorie G, et al. Presentation, diagnosis, and clinical course of vesicoureteral reflux. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 27, 2009.
- Vesicoureteral reflux. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/Kudiseases/pubs/vesicoureteralreflux/. Accessed May 27, 2009.
- Urinary tract infection in adults. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/utiadult/. Accessed May 27, 2009.
- Khoury A, et al. Reflux and megaureter. In: Wein AJ. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/140432586-5/846554140/1445/120.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50119-9_7283/. Accessed May 27, 2009.
- Elder JS. Vesicoureteral reflux. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/140432586-4/846553738/1608/1234.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50541-7_9709. Accessed May 27, 2009.
- McLorie G, et al. Management of vesicoureteral reflux. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 27, 2009.
- Krasinski KM. Urinary tract infections. In: Gershon AA, et al. Krugman's Infectious Diseases of Children. 11th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/140432586-3/846552866/1199/922.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01756-8..50044-0_1577. Accessed May 27, 2009.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 9, 2009.
