Baby swollen from waist down. Doctors baffled. Anyone experienced this?

[Issy42]

7 week old baby born 7 weeks early. Puffy feet mon. Wed eve very purple, swollen labia which feel hard and mottled legs. Line just below waist where swelling starts. Bloods, urine, chest xray, abdominal xray, bowel ultrasound, vein trace all clear. Any thoughts?

Gosh, sounds very strange. Have they done ecg, echo (heart ultrasound)?

Am so sorry your baby is going through this, can't imagine the worry.

Conditions that are known to cause swelling in infants are infection, diabetes, heart failure, blood clot, poor function of kidneys or liver or a number of cardio-vascular problems.

Hope they get to the root of the problem soon and wishing you and the baby all the best xx

They mentioned doing one in a&e and have ruled out a heart problem but can't remember them doing it. Will ask when doc comes round later. Thanks.

Push for the echo Issy - don't let them rule it out on the basis of an ecg.

My DS had this at 12 weeks and it turned out to be a strangulated hernia in his bowel.

He had surgery and is totally recovered although very painful for him and worrying at the time.

I hope you find out what's going on.

Thanks Heated. Cross post. Hope they diagnose it soon.

turners? though thats normally all over puffiness

I hope its diagnosed quickly and is innocent

My ds was also premature and was very puffy at times. It was fluid retention because his PDA hadn't fully closed. He was on diruretics for a while and it eventually went away. His swelling was all over though.

Sorry you are going through the worry. It's just what you don't need after having your dd early too eh.

Thanks fruity. Scan ruled out hernia. Hope your boy is well now.
Will ask about the echo.

Sorry for all cross posts. Am posting from mobile so bit slow. What's turners bronze? I remember you from her name thread. Went with Eira in end and snowed day she left hospital the first time and many days since, so apt.
Worzel - what's pda?

It's when a duct in their heart doesn't close after their are born as it normally would. It's quite common with premature babies. They would probaby have picked it up in Scbu though tbh.

It's patent ductus ateriosus if you want to google.. I'd post a link but I'm on my phone

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
The blood vessel which connects the pulmonary artery (the main blood vessel in the lungs) to the heart, before birth, is known as the ductus arteriosus. This opening is necessary before birth, and usually closes up in the first few hours or days after delivery.

When it doesn't close by itself, the condition is called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). If this happens, the doctor will prescribe medication to close it. If this is not successful, a simple operation will be needed. This may sound alarming but do not worry- PDA in premature babies is easily corrected.

Any news Issy?

Still no diagnosis. New doc seen before, says commonin premies, usually goes away by itself over time. Discharged yesterday but back for monitoring twice a week. On diuretics and off antibiotics now. All tests so far clear. Having karyotype done next. Thanks for asking.