PRecocious biOmarkers oF Unilateral ureTero-pelvic jUnction obstRuction in childrEn

Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are the main cause of chronic kidney disease in children. UPJO is the most common CAKUT. It is defined as impeded urine outflow from the renal pelvis to the ureter, which may result in progressive kidney damage (KD). Renal imaging is the current diagnostic approach, even if substantial shortcomings are present to reliably determine a significant obstruction. Consequently, a follow up is often needed with the risk of progressive KD. The main hypothesis of this proposal is that biofluids (whole blood and urine) could allow a more precise diagnosis and risk stratification of unilateral UPJO compared with the available diagnostic techniques.

In this project the investigators define the UPJO as an hydronephrosis needing of surgical correction according to 2 of the following criteria: anterior-posterior diameter of the pelvis (APDP) ≥ 30 mm, split renal function (SRF) < 40% at the Tc99mMag3 scintigraphy (Mag3S), SRF with delta > 10% at follow-up Mag3S, delayed wash-out, progressive increase of the APDP at follow-up ultrasounds, and 4th degree hydronephrosis.

The investigators will extensively investigate for specific biomarkers of UPJO at different levels. The investigators will focus 1. on the urine by investigating for intrarenal remodeling processes and searching for kidney-specific biomarkers by urinary single-cell and EVs screening (aim 1). Moreover, based on the hitherto revealed capability of blood cells to perceive organ-specific illnesses, 2. the investigators will perform WBGEP of babies with unilateral UPJO to identify early biomarkers of disease progression (aim 2).

For the aims 1 and 2, the investigators will enroll 85 patients aged 0-5 years, 35 with unilateral UPJO and 50 controls without hydronephrosis needing surgical correction for hernia, hydrocele or phimosis.

This project could improve the management of patients with suspect of UPJO -starting from birth- by a better understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying KD and by the identification of early biomarkers of obstruction, reducing the costs and the complications related to either a tardive or not needed surgical correction and reducing the risk of KD development.