These urinary tract differences may be found during one of the ultrasound scans that are carried out throughout your pregnancy. Being told your unborn child or, if the condition is diagnosed after birth, your newborn, has any kind of medical problem can be a worrying time, but it’s important for you to know that most children born with urinary tract differences don’t experience any symptoms or urinary problems at all.

Urinary tract differences can occur due to unexplained changes in genes that happen while a baby is developing in the womb. In rare cases, they can be inherited (passed down) from the parents.

Sometimes, urinary tract differences can occur alongside congenital malformations (differences) in other parts of the body. For instance, there are over 500 medical conditions that are linked to urinary tract differences.

Genes: Genes are like instructions that tell our cells how to grow and develop, including how to form our organs. They are made of a substance called DNA.

Inherited: The instructions are passed down from our parents, so we inherit some of their traits because we get some of their genes.

Congenital: Congenital means developed in the womb and present from birth.

Medical tests, such as regular ultrasounds carried out during pregnancy, can identify these potential differences early on so that they can be monitored and treated, if necessary. If your child is found to have a difference in the structure of their urinary tract, a team of specialist healthcare professionals will support you and your family to ensure your child receives the best possible care and treatment for their individual needs.

On this patient website, we aim to provide you with detailed information on urinary tract differences, treatment options and any long-term care considerations, to help you feel informed. You may wish to write down some questions you would like to ask your child’s medical team at your next appointment.

Which applies to you?