Renal ultrasonography in oesophageal atresia

A retrospective audit was performed of renal ultrasonography in 73 of 79 consecutive patients treated for oesophageal atresia during an 81/2-year period at one neonatal surgical unit. Anorectal atresia was present in 13 (16.5%) infants, of whom 9 (69%) had abnormal ultrasound scans and 2 (15%) required operative intervention. Of the 60 infants without associated anorectal anomalies, 11 (18%) had abnormal ultrasound scans but only 2 (3%) received active treatment. In the absence of associated anorectal atresia, less than 5% of patients with oesophageal atresia will benefit from routine renal ultrasonography.