[Prenatal diagnosis of abnormalities of the urinary tract].

During the period January 1983 to December 1993 malformations of the urinary tract were suspected in 166 cases prenatally and confirmed after birth. Boys dominated (72% of cases); in 66% of the cases the malformation was unilateral. The most frequent diagnosis was ureteropelvic obstruction in 74 infants (45%). 73 out of 166 infants (44%) required surgical intervention. Altogether 124 operations were performed (68% temporary diversions; 32% definitive corrections). The high number of required interventions already during the first month of life highlights the importance of prenatal screening for the early detection of urinary tract malformations, especially obstructive uropathy and multicystic-dysplastic kidney. On the other hand, vesicouretal reflux is usually detected only postnatally on investigation of a urinary tract infection.