Pyelonephritis and vesicoureteral reflux after renal transplantation in young children.

PURPOSE

We assessed morbidity and risk factors of pyelonephritis in children after renal transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 1986 and 1995, 41 children underwent transplantation and all who had documented pyelonephritis were evaluated.

RESULTS

Six children who underwent transplantation before age 7 years had 1 to 3 episodes of pyelonephritis with significant renal dysfunction and vesicoureteral reflux into the grafted system. An antireflux reimplantation procedure in 5 children was complicated by temporary functional obstruction in 3. No further infection occurred after correction of vesicoureteral reflux. After a median of 4.5 years post-transplantation all patients have a functioning graft.

CONCLUSIONS

After renal transplantation vesicoureteral reflux and young recipient age are major risk factors for pyelonephritis with subsequent graft dysfunction.