We are funding pioneering research into Posterior Urethral Valves (PUV), a potentially fatal, congenital kidney disease affecting male foetuses and new-born boys.
The condition impairs the bladder, leading to kidney damage in the foetus and subsequent kidney disease. Some boys will need multiple kidney transplants in their lifetime.
TUF Researcher, Kevin Cao said: “In the past we have attempted to improve kidney and bladder conditions by unblocking the obstruction once the babies are born but the outcomes are not always good because we are getting to the problem too late. Foetal intervention is a surgical and medical treatment where the operation is in utero. We affect the disease itself, we are not patching the defect.
Implications
The research could have widespread implications for other conditions too.
Kevin said, “Men who have an obstruction because of enlarged prostates could benefit and also men who have had brachytherapy or radiotherapy which have caused scarring to the bladder because of the effects of radiotherapy,” said Kevin.
“This research could maybe even help with liver and lung conditions.”
What is PUV?
Posterior urethral valves (PUV) is a congenital condition found only in boys that affects the urethra (the tube which runs from the bladder to the outside).
In PUV, the urethra has a blockage near the bladder, caused by a build up of tissue, making it difficult to pass urine. As the bladder pushes hard to get the urine out, it causes pressure which may result in urine being pushed back from the bladder into the ureters and kidneys.
This causes the kidneys and bladder to swell and may lead to kidney damage. Some children will need a number of kidney transplants during their lifetime.
About one in every 5,000 male births has PUV.
