The effect of ureteropelvic junction obstruction and pyeloplasty on somatic growth during infancy

Background: Evidence regarding the impact of perinatal ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) and surgical correction during infancy, on somatic growth are scarce. Understanding these impacts could help advise parents and aid in treatment decision making. Objectives: To assess the impact of unilateral UPJO and surgical correction on somatic growth in infants diagnosed antenatally and treated during infancy. Design: A retrospective bi-institutional analysis of somatic growth in patients under 2 years who underwent dismembered pyeloplasty for the treatment of UPJO was conducted. Methods: We evaluated patients who were diagnosed with unilateral hydronephrosis during pre-natal ultrasound screening for detection of fetal anomalies between May 2015 and October 2020. The height and weight of patients who were diagnosed with UPJO were recorded at the age of 1 month, time of surgery, and 6 months after surgery. Standard deviation scores (SDSs) for height and weight were calculated and compared. Results: Forty-eight patients under the age of 2 years were included in the analysis. Median age and weight at pyeloplasty were 6.9 months and 7.5 kg. At 1 month, the median SDS for weight in the entire cohort was –0.30 [interquartile range (IQR): –1.0 to 0.63] and the median SDS for height was –0.26 (IQR: –1.08 to 0.52). In 22.9% of patients (11/48), weight and height were below –1 age-appropriate standard deviations, and 6.3% (3/48) were below –2 standard deviations, suggesting growth restriction. When comparing SDS for the entire cohort, there was no significant difference corelated to measurement time or effect of surgery. In the growth restricted cohort, we found a significant improvement in linear growth for height, which was demonstrated between birth and surgery as well as after surgery. Conclusion: Infants with unilateral UPJO diagnosed antenatally as a single anomaly may be at an increased risk of somatic growth restriction in comparison with the general population. In children with growth restriction at time of birth, height seems to improve regardless of surgical treatment. Pyeloplasty during infancy does not seem to negatively affect somatic growth. These findings can be used to counsel parents regarding the potential effects of UPJO and pyeloplasty.