Because the renal fossae can be visualized early in pregnancy, renal ectopia can potentially serve as a useful indicator of other serious anomalies. In the otherwise healthy newborn, pelvic kidneys are associated with an increased risk of hydronephrosis secondary to alterations in the course of the ureter. Renal injury from progressive hydronephrosis can be averted by timely urological evaluation. Particular attention should be paid to defining the fetal urinary system in its entirety since the contralateral kidney may be abnormal or absent. The genital system should be visualized, though its evaluation may be more difficult.
Fetal echocardiography is essential to rule out serious, potentially life-threatening anomalies.
A case report. Prenatal diagnosis of pelvic kidney. Antenatal diagnosis of fetal pelvic kidneys.