Pilot-testing of a Decision Aid for Parents of Infants With Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction (UPJO)

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is the most common etiology of high-grade hydronephrosis, affecting approximately 4,000-10,000 infants annually in the U.S. The goal of surgical treatment of UPJO is to minimize the risk of kidney damage associated with obstruction, which may occur in 30-60% of infants with high-grade hydronephrosis.1-However, the benefit of early surgery compared to observation and potential later surgery to preserve kidney function has not been well-defined. Consequently, surgeons differ on whether to initially treat with surgery or observation, with surgical rates in the first year of life varying from 15-50% across surgical practices. These variations are important to understand, as the decision for early surgery is not without risk. Prior studies suggest that infants treated surgically are at higher risk for readmission and reoperation. Early surgery also raises concerns about neurodevelopmental effects of anesthetic exposure.

To address this gap, the purpose of this pilot test is to develop a patient decision aid (PtDA) tool and pilot test its effect on parental understanding and engagement in the decision-making process at Children's Hospital Colorado. The proposed pilot is a necessary first step in preparation for a future multicenter hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial. This work will also be used to support future studies evaluating the impact of a PtDA on surgical variations and treatment outcomes in patients with UPJO and other complex congenital urologic anomalies.