Pyelonephritis and vesicoureteral reflux after renal transplantation in young children

Abstract

Purpose: We assessed morbidity and risk factors of pyelonephritis in children after renal transplantation.

Materials and methods: Between 1986 and 1995, 41 children underwent transplantation and all who had documented pyelonephritis were evaluated.

Results: Six children who underwent transplantation before age 7 years had 1 to 3 episodes of pyelonephritis with significant renal dysfunction and vesicoureteral reflux into the grafted system. An antireflux reimplantation procedure in 5 children was complicated by temporary functional obstruction in 3. No further infection occurred after correction of vesicoureteral reflux. After a median of 4.5 years post-transplantation all patients have a functioning graft.

Conclusions: After renal transplantation vesicoureteral reflux and young recipient age are major risk factors for pyelonephritis with subsequent graft dysfunction.