CLINICAL CASES   

Minerva Urologica e Nefrologica 2004 December;56(4):371-6

Copyright © 2004 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

The utility of fetal urine biochemistry in the management of lower urinary tract obstructions. A report of 3 cases

Borrelli A. L. ¹, Butler S. A. ^{2, 3}, Borrelli P. T. A. ¹, Zurzolo V. S. ¹, Felicetti M. ¹, Torella M. ¹

¹ Prenatal Diagnosis Center Department of Gynecology Obstetrics and Neonatology Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy 2 Williamson Laboratory Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology St. Bartholomews’s Hospital, London, UK 3 Medical Diagnostics Center of Reproduction Physiopathology Mercogliano (AV), Italy

The aim of this study is to implement the use of biochemical parameters in the analysis of fetal urine to assist with decision making for surgical intervention for fetal obstructive uropathy.
Three patients were selected over a 6 month period following ultrasound diagnosis of megabladder and oligohydramnios. Amniocentesis and cystocentesis were performed for karyotyping and biochemical urinary electrolyte evaluation, respectively. Fetal urine biochemistry assisted in decision making with regard to patient and fetal well being. In each of the cases the parameter cutoffs were diagnostic of fetal condition. While the long term benefits of fetal intervention for obstructive uropathy are still debated, we feel that the use of urine biochemical criterIa provide the best current method to select the subjects to be submitted to vesicoamniotic shunt centres.