Fetal Urinary Tract Dilation (Pyelectasis)

What is Fetal Urinary Tract Dilation?

Urinary tract dilation (UTD), or pyelectasis, occurs when fluid builds up in the urine collecting system (the ureters) leading from the kidneys to the bladder. This is usually due to a narrowing of the ureter.

This condition is common and often, the blockage goes away on it's own during pregnancy or after birth. The condition is slightly more common in male fetuses and in children with Down syndrome.

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UR Medicine's Treatments for Fetal Urinary Tract Dilation (Pyelectasis)

If the condition is discovered at another office, you may be referred to our team for an evaluation and ultrasound. We will check fluid levels in the kidneys and ureters during pregnancy.

Most babies with this condition will not need to deliver at Strong Memorial Hospital for access to Golisano Children's Hospital, but it may be recommended for some.

For severe cases, follow-up after birth is needed. This can include ultrasound, possible medication to prevent infection, and sometimes surgery.

What Sets Us Apart?

At Golisano Children's Hospital, the Pediatric Urology, Pediatric Nephrology, and Transplant Surgery teams work together to help children with complex kidney disease.

The Pediatric Urology team is the largest and most experienced practice of its kind in upstate New York. Over the past five years, UR Medicine's Maternal-Fetal Care has cared for and evaluated more than 500 fetuses with kidney and bladder issues diagnosed in utero.

Our physicians work with other specialists within our medical center to provide complete care for pregnant people. Related fields include cardiology, genetics, internal medicine, endocrinology, rheumatology, pulmonary medicine, and psychiatry.

Maternal-Fetal Care's OB/GYN ultrasound unit is certified by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine to perform Level II ultrasounds, a more in-depth evaluation. Our experienced Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers and state-of-the-art equipment including 3D/4D capabilities help diagnose your developing baby effectively. Because many fetal health conditions can involve cardiac concerns, our office offers on-site fetal echocardiography.

UR Medicine also offers the Rochester region’s only fetal MRI center, to help evaluate many complex conditions and placenta problems. We offer fetal assessment and fetal monitoring on-site at both of our office locations, allowing the team to have all of the needed information available.