Dilated Kidney

totallyshocked

So when I was about 29 weeks pregnant they noticed during an ultrasound that LO had a dilated right kidney but her left was fine. Throughout the remainder of my pregnancy I had to keep getting U/S every few weeks and then it started to slowly match with the left. It looked well enough that I was still able to deliver at the hospital of my choice and that the baby wouldnt need immediate attention. 

At one month they wanted to check her kidneys again and reported that they were almost perfectly matched and nothing further needed to be done but to have one more U/S at 6 months just to be safe.

Well Monday we took LO in and got her U/S.......today we got a call finally from her doctor and the news was not what we were hoping for. Her right kidney is "stable" but dilated outside of normal range again.

I know she has two kidneys and that this can be very common in newborn babies and they usually self correct within a year. I am just wondering if anyone else out there has experienced the same type of situation? did it correct? any advise would be appreciated. TIA 

purplngldkitty

We are dealing with this too! We go back to the urologist in February for another scan. We will just have to wait and see! My LO is also on a daily antibiotic since birth to prevent UTIs which could lead to kidney failure. Is your LO on antibiotics? I am hopeful that it will resolve on it's own. If not, then there's a surgery we can try.

totallyshocked

No she isnt on antibiotics which they did discuss before she was born and did give me a RX in case they ever called me to fill it. She has never had a UTI tho or any issues so I am just praying they still think its likely to fix itself. But I am happy you wrote that because maybe I should call and ask about the RX in case if by accident they forgot to tell me to fill it. I only say this because I had to call 2x's to get the results and they said they have only had one nurse this week so they are backed up. I wish you guys the best of luck and hopefully neither LO will need surgery

purplngldkitty

I would call about the Rx! It's to prevent the UTIs so that they don't damage the kidneys. The doctor calls my LOs dilated kidneys "kidney reflux" and there is also a fancy term for it like -hyper/o hydrenosis- or something like that. Are you seeing a urologist or just a regular doctor? You really need to see a specialist so they can explain to you in detail what is going on. My LO has the dilated kidneys and ureters. His kidneys don't flush out everything and there is like a valve or something connected that is missing causing the kidneys to be dilated. Goodluck to you!!

totallyshocked

Ya she goes to a pediatric nephurologist(sp?). So far they have just said its dilated and not mentioned any issues with her valves or the kidney flushing. The place she gets her U/S is a childrens specialty hospital (Arnold Palmer in Orlando). They have only ever mentioned it being dilated and like I said when she was a month old everything looked fine. This is just so worrisome. I feel like maybe they arent telling me enough but am praying its because there is nothing else wrong- just a larger kidney. Im def calling them Monday for more info. Thanks again for your feedback

Brittany373

Yes---We are going through the same exact problem.... both of my DDs kidneys have the issue,dealing with the reflux too. We are also on an antibiotic.We are on Septra, taken everynight. I agree with the PP. Call you DR and see why they dont think you LO needs to be on it. They found my daughters dialation while she was in the womb also. And as soon as she was born then took her for a abdominal scan... since then we've gone to a specialist and had scans/tests done. We will have another test done at 8 months. My Dr. Said this issue rates on a scale...1-5. 5 being the worst, and damage has already occured. My LOs is a 3.   My Dr also said LOs with a 1 and sometimes 2 usually clear up. some by 1, but most by 3. I Hope when we go for the 8 month scan we get good news and can get off these antibiotics!!! GL to you ladies and your LOs!!!!

 

PS--I LOVE that Ive found women on here whos LOs are having the same issue. People who hear alot LOs issue, are like 'wtf', like Im speaking a crazy language!

totallyshocked

Good luck to you too. Oddly enough we both have girls and when I posted something during my pregnancy everyone kept questioning if I was sure it was a girl........ Hopefully all our LOs clear up this problem on their own! 

jamiedsgirl

Yes, DS also has stage 5 kidney reflux (the worst) and hydronephrosis, also diagnosed at my 38 week growth u/s.  The kidney is swollen because the urine goes backwards through the ureter.  We have to have ultrasounds and VCUGs performed every so often (VCUG is a procedure involving a catheter and x-rays).  He is on Bactrim every day and has been on an antibiotic since he was about 2 weeks old.  He will probably have to have surgery if it does not resolve on its own by the time he is 2.  If your baby has the reflux, it is my understanding that she should definitely be on a maintenance level of an antibiotic!  

Brittany373

jamiedsgirl:

Yes, DS also has stage 5 kidney reflux (the worst) and hydronephrosis, also diagnosed at my 38 week growth u/s.  The kidney is swollen because the urine goes backwards through the ureter.  We have to have ultrasounds and VCUGs performed every so often (VCUG is a procedure involving a catheter and x-rays).  He is on Bactrim every day and has been on an antibiotic since he was about 2 weeks old.  He will probably have to have surgery if it does not resolve on its own by the time he is 2.  If your baby has the reflux, it is my understanding that she should definitely be on a maintenance level of an antibiotic!  

 

this!

 

And Yes, I was told its alot more common in boys then girls.

 

Oh and BTW. I wrote that soo late/half asleep...but I sound wayy too happy about finding other women/LOs with the kidney issues. I just meant I knw I have ppl on here who can understand and relate. And maybe one day I can go to you with questions! Im not happy that other babies have it! I wish allll our LOs didnt have this stinky kidney issue.

 

TwinMama83

To clear up the antibiotic issue...

My DS had the same issues, but very mild just like the OP.  Our pedi put him on a low dose of Septra as a preventative measure.  We had a second u/s and a VCUG and then visited with a pediatric urologist who said that the swelling was still there, but the VCUG showed that the urine was flowing in the correct direction with no serious backflow or blockage.  He said the Septra/antibiotic was not necessary to take because it was such a mild case.  At this point we do nothing but sit and wait and get u/s done every 3mo for the next year to monitor everything.

So... just to clarify, just because your LO has mild hydronephrosis, it does not automatically buy you a ticket to the pharmacy for Septra.

totallyshocked

TwinMama83:

To clear up the antibiotic issue...

My DS had the same issues, but very mild just like the OP.  Our pedi put him on a low dose of Septra as a preventative measure.  We had a second u/s and a VCUG and then visited with a pediatric urologist who said that the swelling was still there, but the VCUG showed that the urine was flowing in the correct direction with no serious backflow or blockage.  He said the Septra/antibiotic was not necessary to take because it was such a mild case.  At this point we do nothing but sit and wait and get u/s done every 3mo for the next year to monitor everything.

So... just to clarify, just because your LO has mild hydronephrosis, it does not automatically buy you a ticket to the pharmacy for Septra.

 

Thats what I started thinking.....so I called my mother who oddly enough works for an adult nephrologist  and she said to calm down and because it was normal at one month old and they used "stable" to describe it now(even tho its dilated) that most likely it is working fine and just larger. She said to call double check but said that the dr we go to is really part of the best childrens division around and they would have explained more if it was serious(such as reflex or urethers being enlarged) or called us in for an in person check back. The fact that they dont even want her to get another one for 6 months is good she said and would signify a mild case. But I know you all understand......im her mother and any problem with an important organ is not going to settle well!

And about PP I know you are not excited that other babies are going through it but yes it is nice to know your not alone and now have people to turn to. Plus knowing that your child isnt the only one with this issues does bring a little peace of mind in knowing that it just happens sometimes but can be fixed.

me92603

2 of my 3 boys had dialated kidney pelvis'.  My oldest's went away about 1 month after birth.  The second one's didn't go away, so they ran some tests and found that he has posterior urethral valves and had to get them removed at 8 months, his was checked at age 1, 2 and 3 and his kidneys are fine.  Not sure if this is the same as what you are going through.