Dilated kidneys (fetus)?

Re: Dilated kidneys (fetus)?

• EmR22 member

  October 2013

  My DS had this at my 20 week a/s. They were in the mild to moderate range. I then had a follow up scan at 34 weeks and they were still dilated. After he was born they did an ultrasound on him and it appears that one resolved itself but the other was still slightly dilated. So he had to have a VCUG. They put a cath in and empty the bladder and then fill it with dye to see if there is reflux from the bladder up to the kidneys. In his case there was no reflux. So now he has an ultrasound next week when he will be ~3 months old. Our case is mild and they have told us they will just keep checking it via ultrasound every once in a while waiting for it to resolve itself. Some resolve prior to birth and some don't. My understanding is worse case scenario they would have to have surgery to correct it. Not ideal but not life threatening.

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• KariB509 member

  October 2013

  Thank you so much for responding.  I've been having trouble finding good information about it on the internet--most everything is related to how this issue is a soft marker for Downs Syndrome but we have no other markers and so that isn't a concern. 

  It's comforting to know that your DS is almost 3 months and he's doing well.  I was worried my LO would have to have surgery right away or something and the thought of my newborn baby having surgery just kills me!

  Thanks again--you've eased my mind a bit!

  
  

    

  ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Kari~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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• Disneygeek77 member

  October 2013

  My son had it at his 20 week u/s as well.  My Dr assured me it was very common and most likely will resolve itself in utero.  He also said in all his years of practicing, only one baby needed surgery to correct it. 

  Sure enough by the 34 week u/s all was fine. 

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• spano41 member

  October 2013

  Almost everyone in my family has enlarged kidneys (hydronephrosis)....I don't know if that is a different diagnosis than "dilated" kidneys though.  It has effected everyone kind of differently, my mom and uncle had theirs removed at 7yrs and 22yrs respectively, but that was a long time ago and I don't think their medical care was the best in the world at the time.  It did clear up their problems though so there's that.  I have had lots of problems with UTIs and small kidney stones (maybe...they can never actually see them on the ultrasound but I have had blood in my urine and the symptoms of stones) which started in my mid-20s but still have my kidneys and manage quite well.  Two of my cousins had their hydronephrosis resolve itself either in utero or shortly after birth and one still has the enlarged kidneys but hasn't had any actual problems, just goes in for ultrasounds periodically.  All and all, we live pretty happy healthy normal lives.  Good news is....you don't need both kidneys to live!  You don't even need a whole kidney (my uncle only has half a kidney) so even if one is bum, you have a spare!
  

  

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• mandilou221 member

  October 2013

  Please keep us updated, because the same thing is happening to my LO!

  
  

  20 week a/s showed BARELY dilated kidneys. My doctor asked me to come back next month for another ultrasound, and if they're still dilated (or more dilated than they were this time,) she'll send me to a specialist.

  At this point, they told me not to think twice about it because it's so common and will likely resolve itself blah blah blah, but a girl can't help but to worry!

  
  

  Good luck to you!

  

  
  

  

  
  

  

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