Abstract
Ureteric dilatation was established by intravenous pyelography in the early puerperium in 78% of the 41 patients and 4-6 months post partum in 32% of the 18 patients examined. The change occurred in the early puerperium in 90% of the patients after a normal and in 67% after a preeclamptic pregnancy. The statistically almost significant difference was attributed in preeclampsia to the reducing effect it exerts on uterine circulation. Dilatation was more common on the right than on the left side.
Pre-eclampsia or dilatation of the upper urinary channels did not affect the ratio of the roentgenologic area of the renal pelves and the kidneys.
The length of the kidneys for the group examined 4-6 months post partum was 0.7 cm shorter on the right and 0.7-0.9 cm shorter on the left side than for the patients investigated in the early puerperium.
Ureteric compression caused by venous dilatation from the intensified uterine blood flow during pregnancy was considered to have an important role in the etiology of ureteric dilatation in pregnancy.