Who might have an ectopic ureter?

Who might have an ectopic ureter?

Anyone can be born with an ectopic ureter. This congenital defect can run in the family, so if a parent has an ectopic ureter, a child has a higher chance of having one.

For unknown reasons, ectopic ureters are about 10 times more common in girls.

Sometimes ectopic ureters happen with other structural abnormalities with the kidneys or urinary system. For example, a person may have a duplex kidney, meaning a kidney has two ureters instead of one.