The spectrum of congenital malformations of the urinary tract in fetuses and newborns in autopsies in 1989-2002

The retrospective analysis of own autopsy findings of 831 fetuses and newborns with different forms of congenital malformations were carried out. In 172 cases (20.7%) urinary tract abnormalities were revealed. Isolated malformations represented 43.6% (75 cases) and 56.4% (97 cases) constituted one component of complex multisystem anomalies. Obstructive uropathies with different renal changes represented 54.7% of the isolated malformations, renal agenesis - 28%, autosomal recessive or dominant polycystic renal diseases - 16% and renal hypoplasia 1.3%. Obstructive uropathies were also most prevalent among the multisystem abnormalities (45.4%), while agenesis represented 34% of cases, horseshoe kidney - 12.4%, autosomal polycystic kidney diseases 4.1%, and renal hypoplasia 4.1%. Congenital abnormalities of urinary tract (especially the obstructive uropathies and agenesis) were more common in male fetuses and newborns. A highly frequent coexistence of urinary system congenital abnormalities and malformations of digestive tract, circulatory system and central nervous system were observed.