Table of Contents
What causes fetal LUTO?
The two most common causes of LUTO include posterior urethral valves (PUVs), and urethral atresia [5]. In general, obstruction at the bladder outlet in males is caused by PUVs, whereas in females it is secondary to urethral atresia [4].
How serious is an obstructive uropathy?
Obstructive uropathy can cause permanent and severe damage to the kidneys, resulting in kidney failure. If the problem was caused by a blockage in the bladder, the bladder may have long-term damage. This may lead to problems emptying the bladder or leakage of urine.
What is the treatment for obstructive uropathy?
Treatment consists of eliminating the obstruction by surgery, instrumentation (eg, endoscopy, lithotripsy), or drug therapy (eg, hormonal therapy for prostate cancer).
What is LUTO?
A lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) is a rare fetal condition that occurs when there is a blockage in the urinary tract of a developing fetus. The urinary tract: The urinary tract consists of the organs that produce and store urine: Two kidneys.
Can babies survive LUTO?
The long-term prognosis for babies with LUTO depends on how much impact the condition had on the development of the baby’s kidneys and lungs. Babies born with LUTO are more susceptible to kidney infections and kidney failure. Many eventually require kidney transplants.
Can a baby survive with LUTO?
Some babies with LUTO may grow up to be healthy children, without any long-term kidney or lung damage. But some babies may have kidneys and lungs that work poorly, or not at all. These babies may need interventions such as a ventilator to help them breathe or they may need dialysis.
Can a baby survive LUTO?
Is LUTO treatable?
Treatment for LUTO In utero shunting is performed as an outpatient procedure. If you are a candidate for fetal surgery, you will receive antibiotics and IV sedation (which also sedates your baby). Depending on the amount of amniotic fluid around the fetus, an amnioinfusion may be necessary.
Is LUTO genetic?
The cause of the birth defect is unknown, but genetics may play a role in some cases. LUTO is more common in males. For example, males are four to five times more likely to develop a less severe form of LUTO known as hydronephrosis, where there is an obstruction in the ureter tube that connects the kidney and bladder.
Can a fetus live without a bladder?
Babies also ingest some of the amniotic fluid, which fills the lungs and helps them develop. When the flow of urine out of the bladder is blocked and the lungs do not develop normally, the baby may not be able to survive.
Is LUTO hereditary?
LUTO occurs comparatively rarely, only in about three out of 10,000 pregnancies. The few cases, however, show an occasional family accumulation and therefore seem to be hereditary. Until now, no gene causally associated with the disease and its heredity has been known.
Can a bladder turn inside out?
This defect causes the bladder to form on the outside of the body. The bladder is also turned inside out. Usually, bladder exstrophy will involve organs of the urinary tract, as well as the digestive and reproductive systems.