Kidney issues - any experiences?

When I was 37 weeks pregnant, I had a growth scan and they picked up that one of Sahti's kidneys was more dilated than what was normal.

I then took her for a follow up scan at 2 weeks old and the scanner dude told me that we would have to talk to our doc about the results.

We've now been told that we've been referred to a pead at the hospital - so obviously there is a problem, otherwise why would we need to see someone?

So has anyone else been through the same thing? Cos I'm kinda freaking out here.

I haven't experienced this but I just wanted to say I have my fingers crossed for you and Sahti that any problem (if any!) is minor. I can only imagine how stressful this is for you...

I have dilated ureters, but it wasn't picked up until I was pregnant with Darcy.
I have had lots of UTIs/cyctitis and I think people with dilated ureters are often predisposed to urethral reflux (urine going back up to the kidney). For me pregnancy was a killer and my kidney function has never recovered.
My dilations are due to obstruction (the valves in my bladder are dodgy) as are many cases. I'm pretty sure with newborns they will look at the efficacy of unblocking while they are little so that potential problems are minimised.

My DD1 only has one kidney and is fine! I would say try not to stress until you talk to a dr (even if that is difficult). Also I was told that you only need 10% of one kidney to function, which I found amazing. However we have only ever had one uti and she is a perfectly healthy 4 year old. :)

My sister has gone through this with my nephew. When she was pregnant it was found that he had a dialated kidney. He had an ultrasound done when he was a few weeks old and it was still there. He had another test where they put dye in through a catheter in his urethra and they then wanted to operate on him. He was put on anti biotics (not sure what for though, I think it was to avoid UTI's) and he was observed for a year rather than operated on as they would have prefered him to be bigger. They just left here yesterday after coming down to see the specialist and he was given the all clear! It was a massive relief.

Fingers crossed it's nothing too serious for your little one :crossfingers::hug:

Hope all is ok Mel. xox

Hugs Mel, try not to stress tooo much (yeah, easier said than done!) until you speak to the paed. :hug:

Oh Mel I completely forgot about this! When do you see the pead? It would have been nice for the gp to give you the run down first. Keep us updated!

Hi Mel

At my 24 week ultrasound it was noted that Twin B has hydronephrosis of his right kidney which is either caused by reflux in the kidney or a damaged valve in the tube that drains into the bladder. Unfortunately he has inherited this from me - it wasn't found until I was 18 that I had reflux in my kidney and by then the damage had been done.

Once he is born I know that he will be put on antibiotics as having this condition can make you prone to having UTI's and Bladder infections and as he gets older it will be monitored as well. My nephew also had the same problem although it wasn't diagnosed until he was 6 weeks old and he ended up having surgery at 16 months to repair the damaged tube. He is 18 now and has never had any issues since having the surgery.

It is horrible to know your baby has something wrong with them but if it had to be anything I would rather it be a kidney matter as I know how to deal with that (due to my own condition) and that it is able to be managed successfully.

Good luck and I hope your little one gets a good report.

My DS (5) also has only one kidney (the left is genetically absent... in other words he was born without it!) detected at the 20 week US. The kidney he does have has quite a few problems including hydronephrosis, megaureter and multiple diverticuli. We were told that he was a 'non-viable pregnancy' at 20 weeks and advised to terminate... that's how dodgy his one kidney looks! He was on antibiotics for the first couple of years of his life to try to prevent UTI's, but still had several and was hospitalised for IV antibiotics. We had him circumcised at 12 months and he has not had a UTI since (touch wood) but he still suffers from all the other issues.

Sounds a bit terrible, right? Well, he really doesn't 'suffer'! He is a very active, very normal five year old. With quite a pronounced Attitude right now! His Urologist (whom I LOVE) is happy to take the attitude 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' and we monitor his kidney function every six months but while things are stable we leave well enough alone.

It depends which part of your DD's kidney is dilated and the cause of the dilation as to what needs to be considered. But rest assured, most 'Kidney Kids' are normal, healthy little ratbags! When do you see the paed?

Matilda had kidney issues a few years ago which hadn't been picked up before she turned 4. She had heaps of UTI's in one year and we did kidney scans and found she had severe kidney reflus and kidney scarring to the extent that one kidney isn't functioning as well... Anyway... after 18 months on antibiotics and further infections whilst on antibiotics we had surgery done twice on her ureters/bladder and since she has had that second surgery she's been perfect. Apparently her kidney damage is irreversible and we have to keep an eye on her and see a paediatrician yearly for check ups and blood pressure monitoring. The specialist said that she didn't think Matilda would know or notice anything before she got pregnant.... and that if she ever did get pregnant than she would have a high risk of eclampsia and would need close monitoring.

I hope that helps.

BTW: Matilda's right kidney was severely dilated and part of her left.. lower lobe (her left kidney was partially divided into an upper lobe (which works perfectly) and a lower lobe which was dilated and not functioning as well (at 80%)

:hug: Mel :(

I hope that it is something that is easily treated, my only experience is with with my MIL and SIS who both have different rare kidney disorders, thinking of you xxoo

Thanks everyone :hug:

At least if it is something serious I know where to come for support.

The receptionist told DH on the phone that there was an abnormality on the right kidney - but that's the only info we have. Apparently we will get a letter in the mail regarding when our appointment will be with the paed.