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June 2015 Moms
dirtymartini
member
Fetal pyelectasis/Enlarged renal pelvis
dirtymartini
member
Just had my u/s and found out the baby has enlarged renal pelvis also called pyelectasis (backup of fluid in the kidneys). The doctor said this is one of the more common findings (1-2% of fetuses have this on the anatomy scan) They also said the vast majority resolve on their own and end up not being a problem after birth. I have a repeat u/s in 8 weeks.
Anyone else heard of this, or have heard the same news? Just trying to remain positive... the doc didn't seem concerned, so I am trying to be calm. It would just be reassuring to know if anyone else has had experience with this. Thanks!
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Re: Fetal pyelectasis/Enlarged renal pelvis
I have a Daughter born 2/26/2013. She is pretty much amazing!
Proud Mama to cleft cutie
The doc is having us follow-up with a maternal fetal medicine specialist and have another ultrasound when I'm 28 weeks. 6 weeks is seeming like a really long time to wait for this! I think you guys are wise to stay away from google. After a good cry, I spent the rest of the day on google and previous month-club threads trying to find out more information. Actually, a lot of the information has been reassuring that for many this resolves before birth. But it really has me concerned that pyelectasis is a soft marker for downs. Of course, DH is out of town on business and I really didn't wanna tell him this over the phone tonight. Could use some T&Ps tonight, ya'll. Feeling pretty crazy about this.
Thinking about all of you!! I know it's almost impossible to not think the worst could happen.
As a healthcare professional myself I've spent the past 24 hours reading all the scientific literature on this that I can find. I know consulting Dr. Google isn't recommended but I make a living interpreting clinical data so I can't help myself.
It appears that this is the most common abnormality found on fetal ultrasound affecting 1-2% of all pregnancies. Over 90% (and some research suggests up to 96%) of cases resolve on their own, and the remainder of cases usually don't require invasive treatment after birth . Worst case scenario appears to be surgery in early childhood but it doesn't look to require super invasive or difficult surgery in most cases.
Also, if no other markers for Down's are present, this isolated finding is NOT supposed to increase your risk of having Down's. I had the Panorama test done which showed no increased risk of Down's and there were no other markers on ultrasound for Down's so that thought isn't running through my head at this point. If this is the only abnormality on your ultrasound, and you are not considered "advanced maternal age", this finding does NOT appear to increase your risk of Down's.
I hope this helps...I know it's hard. All the research and reassurance in the world won't 100% calm my nerves until I hear "your baby is healthy"... but I hope we can all step back from the "absolutely freaking out" ledge. T&P to you all!
At birth, the urologist came by and did an ultrasound which showed the right had corrected itself, but the left was still "enlarged".
We decided to go go ahead with the minor surgery. It was 45 minutes long total, and it was determined that there was a kink in the ureter (tube leading from the kidney to the bladder) which was causing the back up.
She had a few checkups after the surgery, and then once she turned one year old, she was followed once a year. She was just released from his care at the age of 4, having no issues what so ever!
Hi!
I don't post very much, but I read a lot. I couldn't not respond to your post.
I know this is very scary to hear, but it's a blessing that they found this now, trust me. My daughter was born in December 2012. No issues, a beautiful baby girl. At 6 months, she got a 2nd UTI in 2 weeks and the antibiotics didn't touch it. We were sent to Boston Childen's where they discovered the issue, called a UPJ obstruction. The tube leading from the kidney to the bladder didn't form right and was blocked. The infection made it to her kidney. Because we didn't know about blockage, it wasn't being treated properly. She ended up going septic and rushed into emergency surgergy to drain her kidney. We spent a week at Boston Children's.
She ended up having surgery a month later to fix the blockage when she was 7 months old.
If we had known about the blockage, it would have been monitored and this would have never have happened. Now that I'm due with baby #2 at the end of June, we're actually scheduled for a Level 2 ultrasound to monitor the same situation with this baby.
My daughter is now 2 and goes for regular checkups up in Boston. She has healed beautifully and won't have any problems in the future.
I actually have a friend with a 3.5 year old daughter that has the same condition, but like you, found out during pregnancy. Her daughter has gone through nothing of what mine went through and just goes for checkups to monitor it.
If I can help you anymore, please feel free to message me. It was such a scary experience for myself and my husband. I hope the issue resolves itself before baby is even born, but if not, there is so much out there that will help your baby and it's really a good thing to know ahead of time. Stay positive!
Jessica
DD1 born 12.30.12
#2 due 6.29.15