My Baby has a problem with his kidney

[mumofthree]

Hi, i'm new to this forum but I would appreciate any advice and information on my baby sons condition. When he was born he was given intravenous anti-biotics through me whilst in labour due to me being a Strep B carrier. Everything was fine with him until he reached 7 weeks old when he cried non stop for 2 days, and after 2 attempts our doctor finally rushed him to hospital where he was diagnosed with E-Coli.

Having kept him in overnight we were given anti-biotics and told to wait for his kidney scan which he had last week. The results were not brilliant and the consultant told us he has a dilated left kidney. Apparently it could be reflux of the kidney or a narrow tube and this was the reason he had got e-coli. The nurses originally blamed us for the way we made his milk but now we find it wasn't us at all. We are now waiting for a Cystogram and a specialist type of scan to find out what is wrong, but meanwhile he is having never ending runny poos. Our doctor says it could be the antibiotics but the pretection of his kidneys outweighs the problem with the medication. What a nightmare, does anyone know what will happen at the 2 procedures he has yet to have and has anyone had a baby with the same problem (what is our outlook with him and what should we expect)

 

[Bec L]

Hi. Really sorry, can't answer your questions but am sending you and hope it all works out ok xx

 

[Mamafy]

Hiya :wave:

My daughter has kidney reflux in her left kidney, she is on a nightly antibiotic and will be until she is 4. Her most recent infection was only a few weeks ago

Our day to day is no different to anyone elses but I do remember being very scared before Katie was diagnosed.

It does depend what grade the kidney reflux is at which will determine what your babies kidney function is.

A micturating cystogram is where a catheter is passed into the bladder ( ) and they take pictures as the bladder empties itself. Its not a nice procedure if I'm honest but it doesnt last more than 1/2 hour to 45 minutes and they will tell you there/then if there is any reflux but won't tell you what grade etc.

They will do another scan where dye is injected into vein, they use magic cream so this one is painless but it lasts all day as you have to go away fpr hours then come back then go away again.

Tbh I've done alot of research and kidney reflux defintely wouldnt be caused by E-coli, kidney reflux is something a child is born but e coli can cause urinary infections which is why you're gonna get a diagnosis so quick. E coli can be passed on by undercooked food, on the hands etc and will cause diarhaea & urinary infections but e coli will not cause kidney reflux. If your child was diagnosed with E coli it wasnt because your child has kidney reflux. Does that make sense? I have also heard e coli can be spread by animals, have you any of them or was the baby in contact with anyone that has?

I hope I have helped abit, gimme a shout if you need any help

 

[mumofthree]

Thankyou for your response, glad to know it's not just us going through this.

We have 2 other children and one of them is allergic to animals so we don't have pets nor do we visit anyone with pets. Our consultant told us that because the urine had remained in the kidney untreated with no antibiotics was what caused the e.coli. He said the three reasons a baby gets e.coli are when you don't make the bottles as per instruction, when the kidney has reflux and when the pipes to the kidney are too narrow. My son is 15 weeks old now and I am dreading the horrible procedures he has to have. He is also on a nightly dose of antibiotic but we are finding that he is becoming wise and leaving it in his mouth then spitting it out the minute you think it's gone.

Apparently e.coli in babies is very common and we are the unfortunate 3 in 10 that have developed the problem from a defect in the kidney. I got the feeling at his scan she was not telling us the full picture, all she said was the right one was fine but the left was dilated way beyond normal and sent us away with us waiting for these other tests.

Did your little girl have reflux from birth because they have told us our son is too young for surgery and it is likely he will nedd it at a later date.

 

[Mamafy]

I wouldnt worry yet hun because until your little one has the cystogram theres no way of knowing even if your baby has the reflux or not.

What tests have been done so far? Is it just the ultrasound?

The surgery is very very sucessful though and would mean no more yucky antibiotics, katie hates them too I dont think they do surgery until age 4-6. They first need to find out whether your baby has the reflux and they also need to find out what function your baby has in each kidney and if there is any damage to the kidneys.

Shout away if you need any advice or just a rant

Let us know how all the tests go, won't you?

oh and just to answer your question hun, I believe Katie has had it from birth although it was never formally diagnosed until she was 10 months. She had her first problems when she was 4 months old.

 

[mumofthree]

Thanks for the info Mamafy, yes he has just had the ultrasound scan at the moment, they told us the others should follow in a few weeks so I will let you know what happens.