An understanding of embryology, anatomy and physiology are crucial to dealing with these congenital disorders. As maternal obstetrical sonographies have become more prevalent, obstetricians, neonatologists and pediatric urologists have become exposed to a wide variety of abnormalities detected during pregnancy. Over half of the prenatally detected abnormalities are related to the genitourinary system. By far the most common prenatally detected abnormality is hydronephrosis.
Hydronephrosis refers to extra urinary fluid in the kidney.
Hydronephrosis is not a separate disease, but a physical phenomenon that occurs with many diseases. Symptoms, treatment, and prognosis are those of the associated diseases. Hydronephrosis can be caused by obstruction of the ureters or bladder outlet. While the indications for prenatal intervention are extremely unusual, The Mount Sinai Medical Center's Department of Obstetrics has a good deal of experience in prenatal intervention, specifically placement of vesico-amniotic shunts to treat bladder outlet obstructions. However the majority of fetuses can be followed with frequent serial ultrasounds until they are delivered at which time post-natal evaluation and management are appropriate.