Multi Cystic Dysplastic kidney

[scgd]

at our 21 week scan things indicated that our baby boy has MDK, many scans later and things are still pointing the same way. everything else looks ok and other kidney seems to be functioning just fine. Just wondering if anybodyhas any experience of this and what to expect after the birth, ie will they take him away, what tests etc will need to be done, anything he'll be given in terms of medication.....
TIA

Anybody???

Hi, I don't have experience of this as a parent but I am a paediatrician so I've managed patients with similar problems to your little boy.

If he is born in good condition then he shouldn't be taken away from you as a matter of course. You should be able to have all the cuddles and getting to know each other time you need, and should be able to feed him too. What usually happens is the paediatric team are alerted when you are in labour or after birth so that they can come along to see you together. They would then examine him to make sure he otherwise appears healthy.

If the other kidney appears normal then hopefully it will be able to maintain kidney function even with the multicystic dysplastic kidney on the other side. However the paeds team will want to ensure that his blood pressure is normal, that he pees properly with a good stream, and are very likely to monitor his kidney function on blood tests until they are sure all is ok. He should also have a postnatal ultrasound scan as it's easier to look at the kidneys when he is out! Depending on his initial course they will then arrange any other follow up he needs. He might needs some extra supplements, perhaps some antibiotics to protect him from urinary infections, but all that would depend on what they find.

The hospital where you are booked should have a strategy for managing babies with these problems and should also be able to get a paediatrician to come and chat to you before the birth if you like to discuss things further.

Hope this helps!

Kitty

My DS2 has a MDK and it was discovered at my 20 week scan also. Only on one side, his right and I had 4 weekly scans for the rest of my pregnancy to check how things were. I was told the kidney would become enlarged throughout the pregnancy and then shrink/shrivel up after birth.

My son was born at 38 weeks (naturally, I just went into labour then) weighing a healthy 10lbs. Birth and everything else was normal and I kept him with me. He was checked prior to going home from hospital the day after birth and discharged on anti-biotics daily to prevent infections. I then took my son in as an outpatient and he had a couple of scans done and then a test for kidney reflux, which he didn't have. He came off the anti-biotics after a few months and then had 6 monthly then yearly check-ups then was discharged.

He is now 9 years old and pretty healthy. He loves telling everyone who'll listen about his 'one kidney'...

Kittykatzen. Thanks so much for all your info, I've learned more from your post than I have the whole time I've been visiting the hospital, with every scan we've had the sonographer has never said much and I leave there feeling like I'm putting them out just by asking, and I still leave with no info. As much as the midwives I've met so far has been lovely, even they say they don't know that much and that I should ask the sonographer! Saying!

Midori1999 thanks also for your post it's great to hear from a mum as well as a professional. When you say your ds is 'pretty healthy' does that mean he's had issues re MDK or just his health in general? Can I also say I followed your thread about your two precious girls, although I never posted, and say what an amazing way you dealt with everything and hope you are doing a little better each day xxx

Kittykatzen not sure why the word 'Saying' came at the end of the post, stoopid iPod on predictive text I guess! X

Thanks scgd. I'm doing OK considering.

I realised after that saying 'pretty healthy' sounded a bit negative. Sorry. He is really healthy. No problems at all associated with the MDK and in fact has never even been to the GP except for routine things like vaccinations etc.

Midori1999 thanks for answering, I hope the question wasn't out of place. My DH was the one who brought it up when I read your first post and got me thinking, then told me I shouldn't have asked you re your ds health, I can't win! But glad to hear that the MDK hasn't had any affects to your son's wellbeing and that you are doing as ok, all things considering X

My daughter has thus at nearly 2 it has become do small they were unable to find it. She is a very cheely, naughty, active toddler

Mama2LeahAndAisha thanks also for your input, I saw an obst. Yesterday she pretty much said what you guys had already told me so feeling more informed generally and less stressed over it all! I get the impression that they won't really know everything until he's born though so will just have to wait a bit longer to get absolute definate answers I guess! X