Posterior Urethral Valves
Posterior urethral valves affect males and consist of flaps of tissue which arise from the wall of the urethra where it leaves the prostate. They block the urethra, and the flow of urine, causing urinary obstruction. They are the commonest cause of urinary tract obstruction in newborn boys. When the obstruction is complete it is possible to diagnose antenatally using ultrasound, because the ureters - the tubes that lead from the kidney to the bladder - will be swollen, but where it is relatively minor it may only be diagnosed after birth in a child with a poor urinary stream who is susceptible to urinary tract infections. Urinary tract obstruction predisposes to kidney damage, so must be relieved. Surgery is required to destroy the valves and relieve the obstruction, which may result in normal renal function. If the obstruction has been complete, however, there may already be renal damage at birth. Continuous prophylactic antibiotics may be needed to prevent recurrent infections and further damage, and preserve what renal function there is.
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