The prevalence of congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract in children with spina bifida: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of renal anomalies in a large cohort of children with spina bifida and review the information in the literature. Patients and methods: Between January 2005 and February 2025, a total of 1,039 children (499 males, 540 females; mean age: 4.7±3.1 years; range, 4 days and 17 years) with the diagnosis of spina bifida and spina bifida occulta who were under follow-up within the last 20 years were included in the study. These patients were evaluated for the presence of congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). Age, sex, any urinary anomaly detected with ultrasonography and scintigraphy were noted. English literature was also reviewed the studies reporting the association of spina bifida and CAKUT. Results: Of all patients, 17 had renal rotational anomaly and 13 had horse-shoe kidney. Nine patients had renal agenesis. Three patients had cross-renal ectopia, while one patient had ureterocele and another patient had ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The total number of patients with congenital renal anomalies associating with spina bifida was found to be 44 with a prevalence of 4.23% in this cohort. Conclusion: This cohort seems to have the largest patient population reported in a single center on this subject. The prevalence of CAKUT is increased in patients with spina bifida compared to general population. The cause of this increase may be the close embryological background of two systems. Awareness of such a clinical entity may promote the renal protective approach in patients with spina bifida.