Urinary tract anomalies and urinary tract dysfunction in children with Hirschsprung disease—Is follow-up indicated?

Background/Purpose: Urinary tract function in children with Hirschsprung disease (HD) is rarely considered. Aim: to evaluate the prevalence of urinary tract anomalies and dysfunction in children with HD compared to controls. Methods: This was an observational cross sectional case–control study. Children with HD who underwent transanal endorectal pull-through technique (TERPT) from 2005 to 2017 were invited to participate. Ultrasound of the urinary tract was performed postoperatively. Children > 4 years were asked to answer a urinary tract function questionnaire. Controls were age-matched healthy children. Ethical approval was obtained. Results: Seventy two children with HD and TERPT were included. Ultrasound was performed in 58 children (83%) post-TERPT. Ten anomalies were diagnosed in six children (10%). Structural anomalies included abnormal kidney size (7%), renal agenesis (2%), prominent calyces (2%) and renal pelvis anomaly (25). Probable acquired anomalies included hydronephrosis (2%), hydroureter (2%) and parenchymal damage (2%). One child had a prior nephrectomy owing to a Wilms’ tumor. All 37 children > 4 years (27 boys and 10 girls), median aged 8 years (range 4–12), answered the questionnaire as did 284 healthy controls (144 boys and 140 girls). Boys with HD reported a higher frequency of enuresis: 65% versus 9% (p = 0.001) and urinary tract infections: 18% versus 3% (p = 0.012). Girls with HD reported enuresis more frequently (60%) than healthy girls (7%) (p = 0.001). Children with HD with constipation reported enuresis more frequently (p = 0.038). Conclusions: Urinary tract anomalies and dysfunction deserve attention in the follow-up of children with HD. We suggest screening for urinary tract anomalies and urinary tract symptoms in follow-up of children with HD. Type of study: Treatment study. Level: III