Ultrasound screening of the kidneys and urinary tract in 11,887 newborn infants: A 10-year experience

Objective: To determine the usefulness of sonogra-phic screening of the newborn kidneys and urinary tract over a 10-year time period. Methods: Ultra-sound screening of the kidneys and the urinary tract was performed between the third and tenth day after birth on 11.887 newborn infants. The classification of renal pyelectasis (RPE) according to the Society for Fetal Urology (SFU) was used. We evaluated infant renal pathologies and correlated them with the gesta-tional age and weight at birth. Results: Renal pyelec-tasis (grades 1-4) was detected in 179 cases (1.5%); it was significantly more common in male (vs female) infants (p < 0.001). One- (vs two-) sided dilatation of the renal pelvis was more common, with the left sid