In utero treatment of urinary tract obstruction.

A male fetus (one of twins) was noted to have ascites at 17 menstrual weeks and during the following 13 weeks developed a dilated and hypertrophied bladder, hydroureters, and hydronephrosis. Placement of an indwelling suprapubic catheter in utero allowed drainage of urine from the fetal bladder and further in utero development. The infant was born vaginally at 34 weeks and had "prune belly" syndrome but had normal pulmonary and renal function.