Children born with one kidney (Kidney dyplastic)

[zoemelb]

Just found out that our LO will most like only have one functioning kidney. His left kidney shows having kidney dyplastic at 20 weeks scan - we are still to see the specialist for further diagnosis (I think mainly to rule out Down Syndrome risk) and identify the exact condition.

I have done some research it seems that he will have pretty normal life, except for lots of scanning at early age, UTI antibiotics and possibly minor operations to remove the bad kidney.
To reserve the good kidney however, we will probably watch out for his diet (healthy balance diet with low salt and low fat), minimum alcohol drinks, no smoking, avoid contact sport. And recommended for yearly urine and blood test.

We do worry that if it will affect LO's personality in anyway. We don't want to wrap him in cotton ball, and standing out in school activities (bullies etc.), but care for the other kidney is needed obviously.

I wonder if any other mumsnet parents have child/children born in similar condition. What is your experience? Do you worry about the risk of damaging the good kidney? Are there a lot of trips to doctors and hospital visits? Was it hard for him/her growing up, and any bullies from friends?

We have long decided to have only one kid, so his most likely donor will be only us so we are quite worry if he ever needs a kidney transplant.

Thanks

He had a DMSA scan and a micturating cystourethogram. If you head over to the Great Ormand St hospital website and search for them it tells you about what to expect. Honestly, it’s nothing to worry about. I was very anxious about a lifetime of health problems for him when we found out but he’s been totally fine. We don’t even think about it. The only time I think about it is whenever he’s ill and we end up at the doctors or hospital I flag it up to them that he only has one functioning kidney in case they need to know, but it’s never caused a problem.

My Mum had this. She lived to 72 years and the kidney held out to the end (it was the big C that got her.)

The only time it ever became an issue was if she got a UTI, which had to be monitored more carefully to avoid it becoming a kidney infection. Good urinary tract health is important, I think. But having a single kidney didn't impact on her life in any other way...

My DNeice has exactly same thing. Bad kidney was absorbed before birth so she didn't need an op. She is now 17 and has never had a single problem including UTIs or other infections. She was OBSESSED with salt at a toddler (used to dip food into a pile of Salt like you would with ketchup, if you didn't watch her) and now drinks alcohol with her friends. Doesn't seem to be any difference to someone with two kidneys to be honest.

My mum has one and a half kidneys and didn't find out until she was pregnant with me, she's in fine health nearly 60, had a few utis as a child but it hasn't measurably affected her life in any real sense as far as I know

My now 10 year old dd had the same. Discovered at 20 week scan too.
She was on a preventative antibiotic for about 3 years. She got 2 UTI on that, so they decided to take out the kidney which was shrivelled up at that stage.
Keyhole surgery at 3 and she's been fine since. Consultant also said no rugby, but everything else is fine.
It was a shock at the time, but now I actually forget which kidney is there and I have to ask her!

I was born with one kidney - found out when I was in my early twenties and had an ultrasound for something totally unrelated. I’m now in my early thirties and it has had absolutely zero impact on my life. The only things they said were to go to the doctors if I get a UTI and to avoid full contact sports such as rugby/boxing. They said the reason for this is that your single kidney often grows quite big to compensate and because it is bigger, it could be more prone to injury (e.g. in a heavy collision).

I really don’t think you need to be worrying about special diets or doing anything differently than you would with a child who has two kidneys. I know you said you’re a worrier and it is natural to be considering how this could impact on your LO’s life but I’d recommend you don’t make it a ‘thing’. As someone else said earlier, the only reason it would ever really come up is if they were unwell/seeing a doctor or something and it could be relevant. There shouldn’t be any bullying because there isn’t any reason why any of the other kids at school would know anything about it or see your child being treated any differently.

Thanks everyone for your kind words. I didn't realise that a lot of people born with only one kidney functioning. It's a reassurance for sure.

My friend when I was a kid was born with neither kidney functioning. His sister donated one of hers when he was a kid. So they had one each. They were amazing people. Outgoing and fun. He partied with the rest of us and played football for our high school team.

I was told by doctor its very common and now we r only finding outdue to scans so there will be a lot of people out there with one kidney and just not know

She could only have a certain amount of banana (I think it was one a day) because of the potassium. Mum sadly tied a few years back (NOT related to the kidney or even the cancer).

She was also supposed to keep off alcohol and chocolate (some chance). Her working kidney was working at about a quarter of what it should have been but that didn’t cause her any real problems.

I only have one kidney. I drink alcohol. It doesn't affect me at all

@zoemelb hi, I really hope you're still active on Mumsnet and see this ❤️
Can I ask how your son is getting on please? I'm almost 22w now and my little boy was found to have same/similar issue during the 20w scan 😭