Many children with duplex kidney don’t have any symptoms, but some might have urinary tract infections (UTIs) or trouble controlling their pee.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

In some children with duplicated ureters, up to 20% may have vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). This means urine flows backward from the bladder up the tube to the kidney. Because of this, there is a higher chance of urinary tract infections (UTIs). VUR slows down urine flow and can carry bacteria back up the urinary tract instead of letting it leave the body through the urethra (wee tube). This can lead to 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 tummy.

In young children and babies, it can be harder to tell if they have a urinary tract infection (UTI) because they can’t explain how they feel. Often, the main sign is a sudden high fever without other symptoms. You might also notice your child is more fussy or not eating as much as usual.

Finding a UTI early is very important because it can be treated quickly, usually with antibiotics. Treating it early helps protect the kidneys. If a UTI is not treated, it can become serious.

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 it depends on how the tubes (ureters) from the kidneys connect to the bladder. Your child’s medical team will be able to explain more about your child’s individual circumstances.

Possible treatments