Vesicoureteral Reflux Center
Vesicoureteral reflux is a condition in which urine flows in the wrong direction, going from the bladder back up toward the kidneys. Children with the disorder commonly get urinary tract infections and may wet the bed or say that it hurts when they urinate. If left untreated, the condition can lead to kidney infections, which can cause temporary or permanent damage to the kidneys.
At the UCSF Pediatric Vesicoureteral Reflux Center, we are experts in diagnosing and treating this condition, and our compassionate approach to care focuses on keeping kids as comfortable as possible and reassuring worried parents. The test used to diagnose vesicoureteral reflux, called a voiding cystourethrogram, sometimes alarms parents because it requires urethral catheterization (placing a thin, flexible tube in the urethra). Fortunately, our nurse practitioners are very experienced in placing these catheters and can make the process as quick and painless as possible. They also can review the test results immediately afterward, a service that’s not available at most clinics.
We develop an individualized treatment plan for each patient that takes into consideration the severity of their condition as well as their family’s wishes. Some children outgrow the condition and in the meantime can be treated with daily antibiotics to prevent infections and behavioral modifications to prevent accidents. For other children, surgery is necessary to repair the valve that’s allowing urine to flow the wrong way. With expertise in endoscopic techniques, our doctors seek to perform these procedures in the least invasive way possible for each child.
Our locations (5)
Awards & recognition
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Best in Northern California for urology
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Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties
Plan your visit
What to Bring
- Photo I.D.
- Health insurance card
- Insurance authorization, if required
- Doctor's referral, if required
- Recent test results related to your child's condition
- List of medications, including dosages, plus any your child is allergic to
- List of questions you may have
- Device or paper for taking notes
Support services
Clinical trials
International CRDS Registry
Composite of malignant syncope, ICD shock, cardiac arrest, and sudden cardiac death
Recruiting
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Registry of Patients Diagnosed With Lysosomal Storage Diseases
Prenatal presentation of symptoms (e.g. hydrops) appearing on fetal imaging such as ultrasound and ECHO.
Recruiting
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MOON Shoulder Instability-Cohort of Patients Undergoing Operative Treatment.
Patients will fill out PRO's after surgery
Recruiting
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A Multicenter Access and Distribution Protocol for Unlicensed Cryopreserved Cord Blood Units (C...
The primary objective of this access and distribution protocol is to examine the incidence of neutrophil recovery of ≥500/mm3 after cord blood transplantation in a multi-institution setting using CBUs that are not FDA licensed.
Recruiting
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ISP-001: Sleeping Beauty Transposon-Engineered B Cells for MPS I
Incidence of Adverse Events as assessed by CTCAE (v 5.0)
Recruiting
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Autologous Gene Therapy for Artemis-Deficient SCID
Patient survival status and (if applicable) cause of death will be recorded to assess overall survival.
Recruiting
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International Registry of Patients With Alpha Thalassemia
Number of fetuses diagnosed with alpha thalassemia who survive to birth, compared to number of fetuses diagnosed with alpha thalassemia who have fetal demise or are terminated in utero. This is measured in number of fetuses alive ...
Recruiting
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Study of Novel Therapies for Young People With Recurrent/Progressive Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid...
Tolerability is defined as the proportion of participants receiving at least one dose of combination gemcitabine and paxalisib with a reported dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) during cycle 1 for all participants in Phase I.
Recruiting
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Naxitamab Added to Induction for Newly Diagnosed High-Risk Neuroblastoma
Measured by the presence of radiologically assessable disease by cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) or Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging and/or by metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) or positron emission tomography (PET) s...
Recruiting
More about this studyOur research initiatives
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UCSF Baskin Lab
The Baskin Laboratory investigates the causes of pediatric urological diseases present at birth or acquired later. The lab's research has a special focus on curing and preventing hypospadias, in which the urethra's opening is on the underside of the penis.
Stress-free visits
Accommodations. Admissions. Procedure prep. Get the info you need for smoother hospital stays.
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