Familial incidence of bifid and double ureters

The incidence of a duplex urinary tract was determined in the parents and sibs of 30 index patients with either unilateral or bilateral bifid or double ureters. Our results support the hypothesis that a duplex urinary tract is inherited by an autosomal dominant gene of variable penetrance. Routine screening by limited intravenous pyelography of sibs of index patients is recommended in order to detect a duplex urinary tract before the onset of complications.