Factors associated with pregnancy related complications in women with a history of vesicoureteral reflux: A systematic review by the EAU-YAU Paediatric Urology Working Group

Abstract

Introduction

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) may have long lasting effects on affected individuals, especially in females. Its intertwined relationship with urinary tract infection (UTI) has been well documented and there is a further risk during pregnancy where UTIs are more problematic.

Objective

To analyze existing data within the literature to identify factors associated with pregnancy-related complications in women with a history of VUR in childhood.

Methods

PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched to identify all published reports of pregnancy outcomes in women with a history of VUR in childhood up to January 2024 (PROSPERO Registration ID: CRD42024550470). Selection criteria included all English-language original articles reporting pregnancy outcomes (maternal and fetal morbidities) in pregnant patients with a history of VUR in childhood. After screening and eligibility assessment, 17 articles met the PICO inclusion criteria.

Results

The search yielded 1060 papers, of which 17 remained after exclusions, and assessed 2349 women with a history of VUR in childhood,1167 pregnant women and a total of 2206 pregnancies. Compared with the general obstetric population, the results showed an increased rate of pregnancy-related complications (particularly febrile urinary tract infection, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia) in the presence of renal scarring, even if the women had undergone anti-reflux surgery in childhood, but not persistent low-grade VUR.

Conclusion

Despite the lack of larger prospective randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up, based on the findings of this systematic review, we conclude that close monitoring during pregnancy should be recommended in the presence of persistent high-grade VUR or in women with renal scarring, even if VUR has resolved.