An ectopic ureter is a congenital (present at birth) condition. This means that the small tubes that normally carry urine to the bladder don’t properly connect to the bladder.
Overview
What is an ectopic ureter?
Ureters are the thin tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. In a child with an ectopic ureter, the ureter doesn’t connect properly to the bladder and, therefore, drains somewhere else.
In boys, an ectopic ureter usually drains into the urethra (tube that empties urine from the bladder) closer to the prostate.
In girls, an ectopic ureter typically drains into the reproductive organs or urethra.
Risk factors
An ectopic ureter is more common in girls but can affect boys as well.
Signs and Symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of an ectopic ureter?
An ectopic ureter is sometimes associated with a duplex kidney, a condition in which a single kidney has two ureters.
Diagnosis
How is an ectopic ureter diagnoised?
Your child's doctor may order:
Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)
