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Patient handout

Pediatric Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) — grade I–V; primary / secondary / antenatal-hydronephrosis pathway; prophylaxis / surgical / behavioural management

PRODUCTION

1. Your condition

This handout is for pediatric vesicoureteral reflux (vur) — grade i–v; primary / secondary / antenatal-hydronephrosis pathway; prophylaxis / surgical / behavioural management. Your care team identified this based on: vcug-positive vesicoureteral reflux (grade i–v) — entry to vur pathway (aap 2011; aua pediatric vur).

Other reasons your team may use this plan: first febrile uti 2–24 mo with renal + bladder us findings → vcug planning (aap 2011); recurrent febrile uti (≥2 in 6 mo or ≥3 in 12 mo) → vur workup (aap 2011); antenatal hydronephrosis on prenatal us → postnatal renal + bladder us within 3–7 d → vcug if persistent (nice ng224).

2. Your medications

Take these medications exactly as prescribed. Do not stop or change a dose without talking to your provider.

MedicationStarting doseHowWhenWhat it does
Behavioural therapy — scheduled voiding, double voiding, hydration, posture educationAAP 2011 / RIVUR — BBD is dominant modifiable risk factor; treat before deciding prophylaxis vs surgery
polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG)0.4–0.8 g/kg/day PO (max 17 g/day)POonce dailyAAP — constipation contributes to BBD and UTI risk; PEG first-line in pediatric constipation
Route to uro.urinary-incontinence-eval.v1 for full BBD workupAAP 2011 — formal BBD pathway covers ICIQ-like assessment + behavioural ladder

Plan: AAP / AUA / RIVUR / PRIVENT — bowel-bladder dysfunction first → grade-tiered observation vs continuous prophylaxis (TMP-SMX or nitrofurantoin) × 6–12 mo → ureteral reimplantation / endoscopic Deflux + circumcision counseling + breakthrough management

3. When to call your provider

Contact your care team if any of the following happen:

  • Febrile UTI on prophylaxis → switch agent + reassess surgical decision
  • Worsening hydronephrosis / new scarring → STAT urology
  • New hypertension → nephrology evaluation

4. When to seek emergency care

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away if you have:

  • VUR grade IV–V (high) — continuous TMP-SMX 2 mg/kg/day OR nitrofurantoin 1–2 mg/kg/day qhs × 6–12 mo (RIVUR / PRIVENT) OR ureteral reimplantation / Deflux for failed prophylaxis or parental preference
  • Secondary VUR from PUV / UPJ obstruction / neurogenic bladder — STAT urology; PUV in male infant is surgical emergency; CIC for neurogenic (AUA pediatric)

5. Follow-up

Trial off prophylaxis after 6–12 mo if no breakthroughs in moderate; transition to adult care; counsel lifelong HTN surveillance + pregnancy considerations if scarring; family screening for siblings (AAP 2011)

6. Sources

Guideline: AUA Guideline on Management of Primary Vesicoureteral Reflux in Children (Peters CA et al, J Urol 2010 PMID 20650499). Supporting evidence cited by name: AAP UTI 2011/2016 reaffirmation, RIVUR Trial (NEJM 2014) and PRIVENT Trial for continuous antibiotic prophylaxis, NICE pediatric UTI guidance, DMSA imaging consensus.

  1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20650499