While many children with duplex kidney may not have any symptoms at all, some may experience urinary tract infections (UTIs) or urinary incontinence.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

In cases of duplicated ureters, up to 20% of children may experience vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), which is where urine flows from the bladder, back up the ureter to the kidney. This results in a higher risk of UTIs because VUR slows the flow of urine and causes bacteria to be carried back up the urinary tract, instead of being passed out of the body in the urine via the urethra (wee tube). This can cause bladder or kidney infections.

Symptoms of a UTI include a burning sensation while weeing, having to go to the bathroom to wee a lot (UTIs can make you feel as though you need to wee all the time), cloudy or foul-smelling wee, and pain in the abdomen.

However, in young children and infants, identifying a UTI can be more challenging as they may not be able to describe their symptoms. Often, the main symptom is a sudden high fever without any accompanying problems. Alternatively, you may notice your child is more irritable or doesn’t want to eat as much as usual.

Detecting a UTI early is very important as it allows for the infection to be treated quickly, usually with antibiotics. Treatment greatly reduces the risk of kidney problems. UTIs can become serious if left untreated.

Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence means having difficulty holding urine in the bladder. This can lead to your child leaking urine or having an ‘accident’ if they don’t make it to the toilet in time. For children with duplex kidney, urinary incontinence can be a lifelong problem, but this depends on the way in which the ureters (the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder) have separated and reattached themselves. Your child’s medical team will be able to explain more about your child’s individual circumstances.

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