Vesicoureteral Reflux in the Primate: II. Maturation of the Ureterovesical Junction

Infant rhesus monkeys frequently show vesicoureteral reflux unlike adults. We studied monkeys born of mothers who had been on normal or protein-deficient diets. Protein deficiency may influence the time that reflux continues, but this was not statistically proved. Reflux disappears over time. The time was influenced by when the pregnancy was initiated and the maturity of the infant. Maturation as measured by skeletal maturity scores correlated well with the time of reflux, but growth as measured by birth weight did not. Vesicoureteral reflux in the monkey is frequent, but maturation of the ureterovesical junction occurs by age 3 years and reflux disappears.