Kidney blockage found on ultrasound? - Page 3

Moma · 01-22-2009, 10:35:11 AM

Many prayers coming your way!

blakehlhs · 01-22-2009, 07:16:01 PM

Originally Posted by tmsmalley

Just saw this thread and had to respond. We had this with my now 5 year old. We caught it by accident since I was only having an extra U/S because of my blood pressure (it didn't show at all on the regular one around 20 weeks). Hers was causing the kidney to be quite enlarged (so much so that my OB called back to check that the decimal they gave her was in the right place)! We ended up having a c-section 3 1/2 weeks early. They put her on daily antibiotics starting the first day to reduce the number of UTI's. They then did a number of U/S directly on her and ultimately some more complex tests to measure how the fluid was or wasn't flowing.

As people have said, this is fairly common now that the technology exists to find it in-utero. Even a year or two before Nicole, the doctor said they would not have seen it. We wouldn't have known about it until she had a lot of UTI's or it could even have been hidden until adulthood when we'd find out the hard way that the kidney had died off years before and there was now some problem with the "good" kidney. The kidney is an amazing organ. You can actually live really well on even 1/4 of 1 kidney and you get 2 to start with!

Most of the time they just watch it and see if it will resolve. They will probably go with the antibiotics to prevent more serious infection. In Nicole's case it was quite severe so we had surgery on it when she was 4 months old. She (and we) were in the hospital for 5 days and she hasn't had a UTI since. No more daily antibiotics, no problems. We go back for yearly check ups and this year were told she doesn't have to come back until she's 10. So, again, Nicole's case was severe (I'm the only one my OB has had to date that actually had to go so far as surgery), but even if that's what happens, they can fix it. It is still never going to be quite the normal kidney shape, but it is working just fine now.

Hope this helps a bit! If you need the name of a GREAT pediatric urologist in the Bay Area, let me know! We think he walks on water!

Tess

Just curious, do you happen to remember the number that they gave you (in reference to the size of the enlarged kidney?) Our first U/S it was 8, second it was 19 and this time it was 28. 10 is the number that they become concerned. I am not sure what the actual number is except that it is a measurement. The doc yesterday said that this is an extreme case as the left is 3 times larger than the right, but also not to worry to much because as long as you have one functioning kidney, you are good to go! I don't want him to have surgery but I want what is best for our little one. Thanks for your story, it helped lots!
Christan

beadturtle · 01-22-2009, 09:15:08 PM

My daughter had a malformed ureter which caused a blockage and she lost 75% of one kidney's function. She had 3 surgeries before she was 1 yr. old, but she is 17 and absolutely perfect. She has a scar, but she doesn't mind it at all. I make sure to have a urinalysis if she has an unexplained fever to be sure it isn't an infection that could damage her kidneys.

I don't think you should worry too much. Be thankful that they are aware of the problem. As soon as my daughter was born, she was checked out by an outstanding urologist. She had to wait until she was three months old for her first surgery. I think my daughter's case was pretty severe and yet everything turned out just fine.

I'll be praying for your little one.

tmsmalley · 01-23-2009, 12:09:46 PM

Originally Posted by blakehlhs

Just curious, do you happen to remember the number that they gave you (in reference to the size of the enlarged kidney?) Our first U/S it was 8, second it was 19 and this time it was 28. 10 is the number that they become concerned. I am not sure what the actual number is except that it is a measurement. The doc yesterday said that this is an extreme case as the left is 3 times larger than the right, but also not to worry to much because as long as you have one functioning kidney, you are good to go! I don't want him to have surgery but I want what is best for our little one. Thanks for your story, it helped lots!
Christan

I don't remember exactly but they may have been using a different scale. I recall that they told me in millimeters (hence the conversation about where the decimal point was) and then there's also what I recall as a 5 or so point scale for severity. Nicole was at the top end of that scale. Actually, I was calm and collected the entire time until I got to the pediactric urologist's office and saw that under diagnosis they had it written down as "massive" hydronephrosis. The "massive" word really freaked me out (Nicole wasn't even born yet for pete's sake)! :hectic1:

Fortunately, the doctor was terrific (Stanford Children's Hospital). He drew everything out for us on the paper sheet that they use to cover the exam tables with, described how these blockages occur, how all the parts work, what they can do to fix things depending on what's actually wrong, etc. You definitely want a pediatric urologist involved. They know how to work with little people and the kidney. If you don't have one at the hospital that you're scheduled to deliver at, try a local teaching hospital for one.

Anything else you want to know, please let me know!

Tess

tsmit7 · 01-23-2009, 12:53:14 PM

I am blakehlhs's MIL and I just happened on this thread. I wanted to thank all of you for the comfort and support and information you have offered our family. I also want to take this time to say how proud we are of both my DS and my DIL. They are wonderful parents, strong individuals and a devoted couple. We have seen them stand up to the most difficult of all challenges and stay standing....I just wanted to give them a public pat on the back. I know this new grandson who I am so anxious to meet will be welcomed into a great family.

Thanks
Buffy

blakehlhs · 02-21-2009, 05:52:46 PM

An Update... Aiden Isaiah was born Feb. 16th weighing in at 6 lbs 9 oz. He is perfect! After a couple days of sticks, pokes and tests, it was determined that he has reflux of the renal system and a blockage in the kidney. For now we are watching it and doing further testing, but no surgery for now! He is a great baby and a huge blessing to our family. Thanks for all the support and prayers!