Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR)
Many people have heard of acid reflux. It is when stomach acids move up, causing pain or a burning feeling in the chest area. This is not the only type of reflux the body can have. The bladder can also have reflux. Reflux of the bladder is when urine moves up, rather than down. It is called vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) when urine flows backwards from the bladder up towards the kidney. If urine flows the wrong way to reach the kidneys, it can give a free ride for bacteria in the bladder to cause infections. If kidney infections are left untreated, it can cause kidney injury, scarring and long-term kidney damage.
Archived from the 2024 edition
Overview
About one in 100 children have a diagnosis of VUR. Family history may be a factor. A parent who had VUR is more likely to have a child with it. About one in three siblings of a child with VUR can have it.
Signs of VUR can be seen before a child is born. But it's more commonly diagnosed when a young child develops a urinary tract infection. VUR is rare in older children and adults. About three out of every four children treated for VUR are girls.
In this entry
The archived page carried these sections, in this order.
- How Does the Urinary Tract Work?
- What is Vesicoureteral Reflux?
- Symptoms
- Causes
- VUR and Infections
- Diagnosis
- How is VUR Measured?
- VUR Grading Stages
- What is the Risk for Kidney Damage?
- Treatment