U.S. News & World Report 2011-12 edition of “Best Children’s Hospitals” ranks pediatric urology care at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, and at our partner hospital Wolfson Children's Hospital, among the best in the country.
Nemours Pediatric Urology Ranks Among the Best
Nemours Pediatric Urologists Named Among the "Best"
Many of Nemours pediatric urologists have been selected as some of the “Best Doctors in America®.”
Patient Story
Urology: Summer
Swirling through the house in pink fairy wings - with matching pearls, tulle skirt and purple boa, little Summer is every inch the “Princess” she decl...
Hydronephrosis
What is hydronephrosis?
Hydronephrosis is a term that describes dilation or stretching of the kidney pelvis (the place where urine collects) or ureter (the tube that drains urine from the kidney). Hydronephrosis may involve one or both kidneys and may be mild, moderate, or severe.
What are the causes of hydronephrosis?
Stretching or dilation of the urinary tract may occur because of a blockage to the flow of urine, which causes increased pressure “up stream,” and leads to urine building up above the point of blockage.
Hydronephrosis can also occur due to an abnormal connection between the ureter and bladder that allows urine to flow backward toward the kidney when the bladder contracts to empty. This condition is known as reflux.
Sometimes hydronephrosis can be caused by a blockage that has cleared and left the urinary system stretched but not under any pressure.
How is hydronephrosis diagnosed and treated?
Medical advances in prenatal ultrasound examinations have helped identify large numbers of infants with urinary dilation or stretching prior to birth. In diagnosing hydronephrosis, Nemours urologists may recommend a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) and a renal (kidney) scan.
The VCUG tells us if the “one-way” valve in the bladder is functioning, while the renal scan reveals how well the kidneys are functioning and assesses how fast the urine drains from the kidney into the bladder to see if a blockage exists. These studies help determine if surgical repair or immediate treatment is needed since hydronephrosis can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sometimes permanent kidney damage.
Nemours Pediatric Urology Locations
Urology appointments also available monthly at these locations:
Quick Links
Patient Resource - Voiding/Bowel Diary
To help us take care of your child's urological issues, you may be asked to keep a Voiding/Bowel Diary, which you can access here.