Medically reviewed by: Dr. Anthony Kallas Chemaly
Last reviewed: April 5, 2026
Sources used on this page: trusted clinical references and pediatric-hospital resources listed below.
What are posterior urethral valves?
Posterior urethral valves are thin leaflets of tissue inside the posterior urethra of a baby boy. They partially block urine flow out of the bladder. Because urine cannot drain normally, the bladder, ureters, and kidneys can become stretched and damaged over time.
Signs and symptoms
Many boys are first suspected before birth when ultrasound shows an enlarged bladder, hydronephrosis, or low amniotic fluid. After birth, symptoms can include a weak urinary stream, urinary tract infection, poor weight gain, a distended bladder, daytime wetting, or difficulty emptying the bladder.
How is it diagnosed?
Evaluation usually includes kidney and bladder ultrasound, blood tests to assess kidney function, and a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) to show the obstruction and any associated reflux. Cystoscopy may be used both to confirm the diagnosis and to plan treatment.
Treatment options
Initial management focuses on draining the bladder safely and stabilizing infection, dehydration, or electrolyte problems if present. Definitive treatment is usually endoscopic valve ablation. In selected severe cases, temporary diversion such as vesicostomy may be needed before later reconstruction.
Long-term follow-up
Even after successful valve treatment, some boys need long-term follow-up for bladder function, vesicoureteral reflux, continence, and kidney health. Early diagnosis and careful monitoring offer the best chance of protecting renal function through childhood.
Dr. Kallas Chemaly's approach
Dr. Kallas Chemaly takes a structured approach that begins with confirming the level of obstruction, decompressing the urinary tract when necessary, and following the child over time rather than stopping at the first procedure. Families receive clear counseling in Arabic, French, or English about treatment timing, bladder recovery, and long-term kidney surveillance.
References
- Stanford Medicine Children's Health: Posterior Urethral Valves in Children
- Stanford Medicine Children's Health: Fetal Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction (LUTO)
- MSD Manual Professional Edition: Urethral Anomalies
Serving families across Beirut and Mount Lebanon
Dr. Kallas Chemaly sees children from Achrafieh, Gemmayzeh, Saifi, Sodeco, Verdun, Hamra, Clemenceau, Ras Beirut, Rabieh, Mtayleb, Brummana, Beit Mery, Bikfaya, Mansourieh, Kornet Chehwan, Antelias, Dbayeh, Jounieh, Kaslik, Hazmieh, Yarze, and across Keserwan, Metn, and Baabda.