Baby's dilated kidneys

Lild09 · April 2014

Anyone else experiencing this? Our little guys got some extra fluid around his kidneys which was found at 20 week a/a and last week at the 36 w follow up. Midwife states we need to do a follow up ultrasound 2 weeks post partum and that it could fix itself within that time. I'm a bit worried but trying to have faith it'll all work out.

Complications can include kidney infections and possible failure which is rare bc it's caught in utero and fixed before it goes that far.

Thanks guys

Helmink0804 · April 2014

I'm a FTM and have no experience- but did want to say I'll keep your little guy and you in my thoughts and prayers. Hope everything is alright for you.

Lild09 · April 2014

Helmink0804 said:
I'm a FTM and have no experience- but did want to say I'll keep your little guy and you in my thoughts and prayers. Hope everything is alright for you.

Thanks so much. We have been praying he will be alright!

vszapp · April 2014

I think the degree of dilatation can make a big difference on the potential outcome. Our LO also has persistent mild dilatation (4mm at 20 weeks and 7mm at 32 weeks - both borderline), and the doc said it's very rare for that degree to progress to anything major. The latest guidelines are calling out a lot of potential issues that will turn out to be nothing in the hopes that they catch all of the kids who will go on to develop a problem with kidney reflux, UTIs, etc. So rest assured that unless it's really bad, it's likely no big deal, and if it is, the best thing you can do is catch it early!

TaylorHam86 · April 2014

Our little guy has one kidney that is a lot bigger than the other and has been for the past few months. My OB isn't too concerned and told us not to worry. She said they'll probably do an u/s on his kidneys after delivery but it will probably work itself out over time. Hope everything turns out alright.

ns1 · April 2014

This one has had mild dilation that they've noticed since 20 weeks. My drs keep assuring me it's nbd. Part of that may be due to the mild part, but from what they say it's great to catch it early and after birth drs will know to keep an eye on it. They also said It usually clears up on Its own before birth or shortly after. Hopefully for you it's mild as well and will take care of itself!

Lild09 · April 2014

Thanks ladies, looks like both are measuring at 6 mm according to the report. I know my midwife mentioned that it can still resolve itself and if not, its good that its been caught bc they can keep an eye on it and intervene if necessary. We were really hoping and praying it would have fixed itself in utero....I've got 3 weeks until my due date; so hopefully by whatever time baby boy decides to come between now and 2 weeks past my due date it can resolve. Glad to know I'm not the only one dealing with this

Here's hoping that all of our LOs are a ok!

CMDR513 · April 2014

With DS, it showed at the 35 week ultrasound. He was born at 36.5 weeks. He had an U/S three days after birth. He was d/x with bilateral hydronephrosis. He never had a kidney infection and his right resolved itself whereas the left has "an irregular shape." Let me know if you want/need more specifics on the medications and tests performed.

deeandsteve · April 2014

The OB told me the same thing. The baby's kidneys are dialated and she said the same as everyone else - it will most likely resolve itself. I'm hoping and praying it does as well.

Lild09 · April 2014

CMDR513 said:
With DS, it showed at the 35 week ultrasound. He was born at 36.5 weeks. He had an U/S three days after birth. He was d/x with bilateral hydronephrosis. He never had a kidney infection and his right resolved itself whereas the left has "an irregular shape." Let me know if you want/need more specifics on the medications and tests performed.

My midwife mentioned possible antibiotic tx...I'd love to hear the meds and tests preformed if you'd like to share. DH and I are both Rns so this info would really help us

CMDR513 · April 2014

He was on a brown colored medicine for the first month and then amoxicillin for the next 3 months. He saw a pediatric urologist until he was 3.5. The appts were every 3 months then 6 months then yearly. He had various renal ultrasounds. At 5 months, he had a VCUG to check for reflux. It showed he didn't. If it showed reflux, they recommend surgery. BTW- right was minimal and left was mild. That's why right fixed itself.

fyafighterwife86 · April 2014

Our LO has had dialated kidneys since our 20w u/s.
We were told everything it 'could' be- which will absolutely drive you crazy. We went back for our 32w u/s and he was measuring within 'normal' range.

I did want to share that we spent a significant amount of time with a genetic counselor. To help ease your mind a little, this is VERY popular in boys and generally they are born with little to no issues. If I remember correctly, 5mm is considered 'normal' so your little guy is BARELY over the 'normal' limit.
I'll keep your little guy in my thoughts and prayers

I truly believe everything will turn out just fine!

bcnoelle · April 2014

They found moderate bilateral hydronephrosis with my son's anatomy scan (I believe around 8-12 mm). I was sent for a higher level ultrasound and had growth scans towards the end of pregnancy to make sure he had enough amniotic fluid. The rest of pregnancy went fine. He was born 8 lbs 7 oz at 38 weeks 3 days. He was put on prophylactic antibiotics right away for a week and an ultrasound of his kidneys was done at the hospital on day 2. Still showed hydronephrosis. Around 3 weeks we went to hospital to have a reflux exam to make sure there was no blockages from ureters to kidneys. None found. Every 6 months he had ultrasounds. By 18 months he was dismissed from follow up cause it cleared up on its own. He never had UTIs from what we know. It's my understanding that hydronephrosis is one of the most abnormal anatomy scan findings and more prevalent with boys. It was good that we did everything to be proactive and for peace of mind, but it did cost us a lot of $ for all of these tests unfortunately. It was also frustrating that our answer was 'let's keep following up' without much of a plan. Hope this helped and best wishes for your son!

2014poppy · April 2014

We had a suspicion of this at our 18 week ultrasound but the problem disappeared at the 28 week ultrasound. My ob did not seem overly concerned and said that they need to know this so that the pediatrician/family dr of the baby would have a heads up and would give the baby antibiotics for an infection.

CookingStar · April 2014

My first daughter had this. After she was born, we did a few tests within the first few months to determine that her kidneys functioned completely normal and she wasn't at risk of kidney infection ( no reflux in kidneys). But here she is At 3 1/2 yrs old and she still has water in her kidneys....but her kidneys continue to function nomal....it's just something we have to monitor and watch yearly and hope it just corrects on its own in time. Good luck!

Lild09 · April 2014

CookingStar said:
My first daughter had this. After she was born, we did a few tests within the first few months to determine that her kidneys functioned completely normal and she wasn't at risk of kidney infection ( no reflux in kidneys). But here she is At 3 1/2 yrs old and she still has water in her kidneys....but her kidneys continue to function nomal....it's just something we have to monitor and watch yearly and hope it just corrects on its own in time. Good luck!

Thanks for your story! Its not very common in little girls as you can see even on this thread...glad to hear she's doing great

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