Harnessing the Physical Examination for the Early Detection of Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Genitourinary Tract

Abstract

Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract are the major cause of end stage renal failure in childhood. Methods: literature search was done via Pubmed looking for use of the physical examination for the early detection of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract. Results: Few papers emphasized using the physical examination for the diagnosis of congenital renal anomalies. Conclusion: Physical examination clues may help in the early diagnosis of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract, especially in developing countries where genetic testing is expensive and not readily available.