目的　检测先天性肾积水肾脏细胞凋亡的发生 ,并探讨其临床意义。方法　应用电镜、DNA原位缺口末端标记法及DNA电泳检测 15例先天性肾积水患儿患肾细胞凋亡 ,其中轻、中、重度肾积水各 5例。结果　先天性肾积水肾脏有细胞凋亡发生 ,可见细胞核周边染色质凝集及凋亡小体。重度肾积水肾脏平均凋亡指数为 0 .0 94± 0 .0 17,中度肾积水为 0 .0 3 3± 0 .0 17,轻度肾积水为0 .0 0 2± 0 .0 0 3 ,三者相比具有显著性意义 ,并且随着肾积水程度的加重 ,凋亡细胞数增多。 1例中度肾积水和 5例重度肾积水肾组织电泳带型呈典型的“梯形结构”。结论　肾细胞凋亡可能参与了先天性肾积水肾脏的损伤 Objective To detect the occurrence of renal cell apoptosis in congenital hydronephrosis and to investigate its clinical significance. Methods The apoptosis of renal cells was detected in 15 children with congenital hydronephrosis by electron microscopy, DNA in situ nick end labeling and DNA electrophoresis. Among them, 5 cases were mild, moderate and severe hydronephrosis. Results The nephrotic cells in congenital hydronephrosis occurred and the chromatin condensation and apoptotic bodies around the nucleus were observed. Severe hydronephrosis kidney average apoptosis index was 0.094 ± 0.17, moderate hydronephrosis was 0.33 ± 0.17, mild hydronephrosis was 0.002 ± 0 .0 0 3, compared with three significant significance, and with the degree of hydronephrosis increased, the number of apoptotic cells increased. One case of moderate hydronephrosis and five cases of severe hydronephrosis kidney tissue electrophoresis showed a typical “trapezoidal structure.” Conclusion Renal cell apoptosis may be involved in the kidney of congenital hydronephrosis